Context:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the Gaganyaan mission on August 24, 2025, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This test is a significant milestone in the development of the parachute-based deceleration system for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

Key Highlights of the Test:

·        Simulated Crew Module: A 4.8-tonne simulated Crew Module was dropped from an altitude of 3 km using the Indian Air Force's Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.

·        Parachute System: The module was equipped with 10 parachutes, including two Apex Cover Separation (ACS) parachutes, two Drogue parachutes, three Pilot parachutes, and three Main parachutes, each with a diameter of 25 meters.

·        Deceleration Process: The parachutes deployed in a precise sequence to gradually decrease the velocity of the Crew Module, reducing its terminal velocity to about 8 m/s for safe touchdown.

·        Recovery: The simulated Crew Module was successfully recovered and ferried back to Chennai port on INS Anvesha after splashdown

Significance of the Test:

The successful air drop test demonstrates the effectiveness of the parachute-based deceleration system, a critical component of the Gaganyaan mission.

·        This system will be used to slow down the Crew Module during re-entry and ensure a safe landing on sea.

·        The test also simulated a possible abort scenario on the launch pad, validating the system's performance in emergency situations.

About the Gaganyaan Mission:

The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme, aimed at demonstrating indigenous capability to send humans to space.

·        The primary objective is to launch a three-member crew into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 400 km altitude for a 3-day mission and return them safely to Earth with a controlled splashdown in Indian sea waters.

·        This mission is a major step in India's space ambitions and self-reliance in advanced space technologies.

Launch Vehicle: LVM-3:

The mission will use the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), formerly known as GSLV Mk-III, a reliable heavy-lift rocket developed by ISRO. It consists of:

·         First stage: Two solid-fuel boosters.

·         Second stage: Twin liquid-fuelled Vikas 2 engines.

·         Third stage: Indigenous CE-20 cryogenic engine using liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

Orbital Module:

The Orbital Module weighs 8.2 tonnes and comprises two parts:

·         Crew Module: Holds up to 3 astronauts, has parachutes for re-entry, ECLSS for life support, and a crew escape system for emergencies.

·         Service Module: Provides orbital propulsion and deorbit burn for safe Earth return.

Conclusion

The air drop test marks a major milestone for crew safety validation. With the first crewed Gaganyaan flight planned in 2027, such tests ensure that all recovery systems perform reliably. ISRO continues to advance through uncrewed missions (G-1, G-2, G-3) and infrastructure development to meet this ambitious human spaceflight goal.