ISRO Successfully Completes Parachute Test for Gaganyaan Space Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant breakthrough with the successful execution of its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the parachute-based deceleration system intended for the Gaganyaan mission, slated for launch in December 2025.
This test was conducted in partnership with the Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard, marking a crucial advancement in verifying the astronaut safety protocols. The parachute system is vital for the controlled recovery of the crew module following its re-entry into the atmosphere.
In the demonstration, a mock crew module was launched from an aircraft, descending safely under the newly developed parachute system. This process involved a sequence of extraction, activation of drogue chutes, and deployment of the main parachute, effectively validating the entire system's functionality.
ISRO representatives expressed that this trial enhances confidence as India nears its first human spaceflight. The Gaganyaan mission intends to transport a three-member crew to an orbit of approximately 400 km for a period of up to three days before returning safely to Earth.
The launch scheduled for December 2025 will be a crucial uncrewed validation flight, with the first manned mission planned for 2028. This would position India as the fourth country to achieve independent crewed spaceflight capability.
Upcoming objectives will involve further parachute tests, pad abort procedures, and sea recovery exercises to ensure full operational readiness. Officials emphasized that astronaut safety remains the utmost priority of the mission.
The triumph of IADT-01 serves as a substantial confidence builder, underscoring India’s advancing technological prowess and reinforcing its standing in the international space community.
