The qualification level load test of the drogue parachute for India’s first human space mission Gaganyaan was successfully completed. The qualification level test checked the parachute’s strength and safety margin by applying loads higher than the maximum flight load. This test confirmed that India is fully capable of designing and manufacturing strong and high-capacity ribbon parachutes. Additionally, the parachute will work safely and properly in conditions similar to the actual mission. The drogue parachute is essential for safely bringing astronauts back to Earth in the Gaganyaan mission. When the capsule returns to Earth’s atmosphere, this parachute helps reduce its high speed. This test was conducted on Wednesday (February 18) at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. This dynamic test was completed at RTRS, which is Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) special high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluation facility. Teams from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), and TBRL participated in this. Learn about the Gaganyaan mission… ISRO’s Gaganyaan is India’s first human space mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space using indigenous technology and bring them back safely to Earth. It will use crew module, service module and life support systems developed in India. Under the mission, astronauts will spend some time in Low Earth Orbit before making a safe landing. With the success of Gaganyaan, India will join the select group of countries having human spaceflight capability. What will India achieve from Gaganyaan Mission Other news related to Gaganyaan mission… August 24, 2025: Chinook helicopter dropped crew module returning from space into sea from 4km height In preparation for India’s first human space mission Gaganyaan, ISRO successfully completed the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1). This test was conducted to examine the parachute system developed for the Gaganyaan mission under real conditions. Its purpose was to check the parachute deployment process before the Gaganyaan mission. This process will ensure the safe return of astronauts during the mission. During the test, a dummy crew capsule weighing approximately 5 tons was dropped from a height of 4 km using an Air Force Chinook helicopter.
