ISRO Successfully Completes Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Qualification Tests
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the Drogue Parachute Deployment Qualification Tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module, marking a significant advancement in India's human spaceflight initiative.
The qualification tests took place on December 18 and 19, 2025, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
ISRO explained that the drogue parachutes are an essential part of the crew module's deceleration system, which includes a total of 10 parachutes of four distinct types. These parachutes are crucial for stabilizing and slowing down the crew module during its descent and re-entry phases.
ISRO described the sequence of deployment, starting with the separation of two apex cover separation parachutes that remove the protective cover from the parachute compartment. This step is followed by the release of two drogue parachutes to stabilize and decelerate the module. Next, three pilot parachutes deploy to extract the three main parachutes, which further reduce the speed of the crew module, ensuring a safe landing.
The space agency emphasized that the objective of the test series was to thoroughly assess the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under extreme conditions, including significant variations in flight parameters. Both tests successfully achieved all planned outcomes, verifying the system's robustness.
ISRO highlighted that the successful completion of these tests is a crucial step towards qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight. The tests were conducted with support from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and TBRL.
This achievement reinforces India's readiness for the forthcoming Gaganyaan missions aimed at safely sending Indian astronauts into space and returning them to Earth.
