ISRO has successfully tested the re-entry and parachute system of the Gaganyaan crew module, marking a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight mission. On Sunday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a major breakthrough in the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission by conducting an Integrated Air Drop Test of the crew module. This exercise simulated atmospheric re-entry, parachute deployment, and safe recovery, representing a crucial step towards India’s inaugural human space mission. A Chinook helicopter from the Indian Air Force lifted a dummy crew module to an altitude of three kilometers, approximately 40 kilometers off the coast of Sriharikota. Upon release, the module deployed three main parachutes that slowed its descent before it splashed down in the Bay of Bengal. ISRO chairperson Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the success of the trial, stating, “All parachutes functioned as anticipated, reducing the velocity to safe levels for human survival. The Navy retrieved the module and delivered it to us in Chennai.” The same module will be reused for additional trials. This mission highlighted the strong collaboration among national agencies. ISRO led the operation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed the parachute system, the Air Force provided the Chinook helicopter, and the Navy oversaw the recovery.
The Navy will also handle final recovery operations when the crewed flights commence. Officials emphasized that the trial validated not only the operation of the drogue, pilot, and main parachutes but also the effective coordination among the agencies involved. ISRO aims to launch the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission by the end of 2025, with the first crewed flight scheduled for late 2027. The government has approved eight flights under the program, which includes two crewed and six uncrewed missions. One of the uncrewed flights will also carry the first module of the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station.The operational crew module will use a system of 10 parachutes. This system consists of Apex Cover Separation Parachutes to open the compartment, drogue parachutes to stabilize the speed, and pilot chutes to deploy the three main parachutes. Crucially, two of the three main parachutes will be enough to guarantee the safety of astronauts during splashdown. Sunday’s trial represents ISRO’s first complete demonstration of the parachute-based deceleration system. After overcoming previous delays caused by helicopter issues, this success brings India closer to launching its astronauts into space with a homegrown spacecraft.
