21.12.2025

Screengrab from video released by ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed a series of qualification tests for drogue parachutes being developed for the deceleration system of the Crew Module for India's first manned spaceflight mission 'Gaganyaan'.

The tests were conducted at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory's Rail Track Rocket Sled facility in Chandigarh on 18 and 19 December.

The parachute-based deceleration system of the Gaganyaan Crew Module consists of ten parachutes of four different types, designed to ensure a controlled and safe descent during atmospheric re-entry.

The sequence begins with the deployment of two apex cover separation parachutes that remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment.

This is followed by the deployment of two drogue parachutes, which stabilise the Crew Module and significantly reduce its speed.

Subsequently, three pilot parachutes are released to extract three main parachutes, further slowing the module to enable a safe touchdown.

Drogue parachutes form a critical element of the overall system, as they play a key role in stabilising the Crew Module and reducing its velocity under demanding re-entry conditions.

According to the ISRO, the objective of this specific test series was to rigorously evaluate the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under extreme conditions.

"Both the RTRS tests on drogue parachutes were successfully conducted on December 18 & 19, 2025 achieving all the test objectives and confirming their robustness even under the situation of significant variation in flight conditions," ISRO said.

ISRO said that the successful completion of these tests marks another significant step toward qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight.

The tests were carried out with active support and participation from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, DRDO, and the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), DRDO.

Quelle: Swarajya

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ISRO successfully completed Drogue Parachute Deployment Qualification Tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module at the RTRS facility of TBRL, Chandigarh, during 18–19 December 2025. The tests confirmed the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under varying flight conditions, marking a key step in qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight.

Quelle: ISRO