India continues to make steady progress in its human spaceflight program amid growing international interest in such missions. On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan crew module at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This milestone confirms the safety mechanisms for Indian astronauts, known as Gaganyatris, during their return from space following the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry.
The trial emphasized the descent and landing stage, a vital part of any crewed space operation where success relies on a sophisticated parachute setup for deceleration. For the Gaganyatris, this system—comprising 10 parachutes made in India—will be essential for their protection.
In the test, a mock crew module weighing around 5.7 tonnes, matching the specifications for the initial uncrewed Gaganyaan flight (G1), was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to about three kilometers high. It was then dropped over a specified area in the Bay of Bengal near Sriharikota’s shoreline.
ISRO reported that the subsequent events unfolded as planned, evaluating both technical aspects and operational confidence. Ten parachutes of four varieties opened in sequence, steadily slowing the module for a managed water landing. Engineers monitored the descent closely as the parachutes deployed against the ocean backdrop.
The agency confirmed that the test affirmed the parachute deceleration system’s effectiveness from start to finish under actual scenarios. Following the splashdown, the module was retrieved from the sea through a joint effort with the Indian Navy, concluding the exercise successfully.
Gaganyaan represents India’s costliest scientific endeavor, with expenses surpassing Rs 10,000 crore, and this test showcased collaboration among national entities. ISRO worked alongside the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Indian Coast Guard.
The parachute setup is fully indigenous. DRDO experts stated that this marks the debut of such a comprehensive 10-parachute arrangement developed domestically. Prior simulations and ground evaluations led to this aerial validation, crucial since astronaut safety demands precision beyond theory.
A representative from the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, the country’s leading parachute research facility, explained that the test provides insights into system responses during unexpected situations, like an early mission termination with limited height and time.
During a real Gaganyaan flight, the crew module will re-enter the atmosphere at high velocities after orbital time. Initial parachutes activate between 7 and 11 kilometers altitude, when speeds reach about 700 kilometers per hour, similar to a commercial jet in flight. The ten parachutes progressively reduce this by roughly 25 times before impact.
Even after full slowing, the module hits the water at approximately 30 kilometers per hour, a force astronauts must withstand. In those critical seconds, the parachute network’s reliability is paramount.
ISRO detailed the process: It starts with two parachutes that detach the compartment cover, followed by two drogue parachutes for stability and initial slowdown. Next, three pilot chutes deploy three primary parachutes, which open one by one. Although two suffice for safety, the third adds backup. The biggest measures 25 meters across, all crafted from local materials.
Post-landing, the module is collected from about five kilometers offshore and examined on land.
As NASA prepares astronauts for extended orbital returns in programs like Artemis II, India’s Gaganyaan initiative proceeds through careful, step-by-step advancements. The achievement of IADT-02 underscores this approach.
