New Delhi: The country’s human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan has reached a significant milestone with the successful qualification-level load test of its drogue parachute at a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility in Chandigarh.
The test was conducted on Wednesday at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). The RTRS is a specialised high-speed testing platform used for aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations under simulated dynamic conditions.
According to officials, the trial simulated loads higher than the maximum expected during flight, validating the parachute’s structural strength and confirming additional safety margins in its design. The drogue parachute is a critical component of the Gaganyaan crew module recovery system, helping stabilise and decelerate the spacecraft during re-entry, according to an official statement.
The qualification test was carried out in coordination with teams from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment under DRDO, and technical teams from TBRL.
Officials said the successful test demonstrates India’s growing capability in designing and manufacturing high-strength ribbon parachutes required for complex space missions. It also underscores the role of DRDO’s advanced testing infrastructure in supporting both defence and space programmes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, ISRO, and industry partners on the successful trial, stating that the achievement marks an important step in advancing India’s human spaceflight ambitions and strengthening indigenous technological capabilities.
Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the teams involved in the qualification test.
