The Indian Space Research Organisation announced on Sunday that it had completed three key tests of systems for the Gaganyaan crew module. The first test confirmed the module can remain upright after landing in the ocean, a vital safety feature. Engineers developed and evaluated a cold-gas uprighting system for this purpose. A full setup of the crew module uprighting system underwent successful inflation trials using stored gas from a high-pressure bottle. The second test checked the separation of the umbilical connection linking the crew module to the service module. This link has two sections, one on each side. During re-entry, the service module detaches after the first section separates, followed by the second section just before atmospheric entry. The trial showed clean separation and stable structure. The third test assessed the module’s strength during separation of the apex cover, which shields parachutes until they deploy to slow descent.
