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Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO has achieved great success in the direction of security of Gaganyaan Mission. Drag parachute was successfully tested in Chandigarh on 18 and 19 December. This test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled Facility. The main function of these parachutes is to reduce the speed of the crew module. This system has proved its strength even in adverse circumstances.
New Delhi. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has achieved another historic achievement towards the success of Gaganyaan Mission. ISRO has successfully conducted the qualification tests for ‘Drogue Parachutes’ using Rail Tracked Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility at Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh on 18 and 19 December 2025. These tests were conducted to develop the deceleration system (speed reducing system) of the Gaganyaan Crew Module.
The main objective of these tests was to closely evaluate the performance and reliability of drogue parachutes in difficult and adverse conditions. According to ISRO, both the tests have met all their objectives, confirming that these parachutes are completely robust and capable even under significant changes in flight conditions. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment and DRDO have actively cooperated in this success.
‘Space’ race on railway tracks
Often we imagine trains when we hear the name of railway tracks, but ISRO has used these tracks for the most difficult tests of space science. The most challenging part of the Gaganyaan mission is the safe return of the astronauts. When the crew module re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere, its speed will be so high that controlling it will be no less than a challenge. This is where the role of drogue parachute becomes important. These parachutes not only stabilize the module but also reduce its speed to a level where the main parachute can begin its operation.
10 Parachutes and the impenetrable circle of protection
The deceleration system of the Gaganyaan Crew Module is a complex network of a total of 10 parachutes, which include four different types of parachutes. It begins with two ‘Apex Cover Separation’ parachutes that remove the protective cover from the parachute compartment. Immediately thereafter two drogue parachutes deploy which provide stability and initial slow deceleration of the module. After this, three pilot parachutes release which ultimately pull out the three main parachutes. This entire process ensures that astronauts can land safely on the earth or sea surface.
Strong steps towards human space flight
This test is also important because it is a big step towards qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight. The use of Rail Tracked Rocket Sled (RTRS) shows the engineering acumen of ISRO, where realistic flight-like conditions were created through high-speed rocket sled. This success proves that India is technically fully prepared for its first manned mission and there is no compromise on safety standards.
