Jhansi, November 12, 2025: In a major milestone for India’s human spaceflight ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a critical test of the Main Parachutes for the Gaganyaan Crew Module at the Babina Field Firing Range (BFFR) in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district. The test, carried out on November 3, is part of ISRO’s ongoing series of Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT) designed to qualify the parachute system for the Gaganyaan mission.

About the Parachute System

The Gaganyaan Crew Module’s parachute system is a sophisticated assembly comprising a total of 10 parachutes of four distinct types, each playing a crucial role in ensuring a safe descent and touchdown of the module. According to ISRO, the descent sequence follows a carefully orchestrated step-by-step process:

1. Apex Cover Separation Parachutes: The sequence begins with the deployment of two apex cover separation parachutes. These small parachutes are designed to remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment, exposing the module’s primary descent system.
2. Drogue Parachutes: Following the cover separation, two drogue parachutes deploy to stabilise and decelerate the Crew Module. This step is critical to ensuring the module’s orientation and mitigating excessive descent speed.
3. Pilot Parachutes and Main Parachutes: Upon the release of the drogue parachutes, three pilot parachutes are deployed. These pilot parachutes extract three main parachutes, which are responsible for further slowing the module and ensuring a safe landing. Importantly, the system is designed with redundancy in mind, with any two of the three main parachutes sufficient to achieve a secure touchdown.

Reefed Inflation: A Key Feature of the Descent System

The main parachutes for the Gaganyaan mission employ a technique called reefed inflation, a controlled, step-by-step deployment process. Initially, the parachute opens partially—a phase known as reefing—followed by full deployment after a predetermined interval, called disreefing. This sequence is executed using pyro devices embedded within the parachute system, ensuring controlled inflation and minimizing sudden load stresses on the Crew Module.

During the recent test, ISRO successfully demonstrated one of the extreme scenarios involving a delay in disreefing between two main parachutes. This test validated the parachutes’ structural integrity and load distribution under asymmetric disreefing conditions, simulating one of the most critical and challenging scenarios anticipated during an actual mission descent.

The Test Procedure

The test involved dropping a simulated mass equivalent to the Crew Module from an altitude of 2.5 kilometers using the Indian Air Force’s IL-76 aircraft. ISRO confirmed that the parachute system deployed exactly as planned, with the sequence executed flawlessly. Observers noted that the system maintained stability throughout the descent, demonstrating its robustness and readiness for human spaceflight operations.

Collaborative Effort

The success of this test underscores the collaborative efforts between multiple agencies and institutions. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and ISRO provided primary technical oversight, while the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) contributed expertise in aerial drop systems. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Army actively participated in providing operational support for the test.

Significance for Gaganyaan Mission

The successful completion of the main parachute test is a significant step forward in qualifying the Gaganyaan Crew Module’s descent system for human spaceflight. Parachute deployment is among the most critical elements of any crewed mission, as it ensures the astronauts’ safe return to Earth. By demonstrating performance under extreme conditions, including asymmetric load scenarios, ISRO has validated both the reliability and safety of the system.

The Gaganyaan mission represents India’s first independent human spaceflight program, aimed at sending Indian astronauts, or “Vyomnauts,” into low Earth orbit. The mission has been under meticulous planning for several years, with multiple tests and simulations conducted to ensure that every aspect of crew safety is addressed—from launch and orbital operations to re-entry and recovery.

Looking Ahead

Following this successful parachute test, ISRO plans to conduct additional Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests to further qualify the system under varied operational conditions. These tests will continue to simulate different payload weights, wind conditions, and descent profiles to ensure that the module’s landing mechanism is fully reliable under real mission scenarios.

Officials from ISRO have stated that the parachute system, with its redundancy and stepwise deployment mechanism, provides a high degree of safety and ensures that the Crew Module can land securely even in the event of partial failure of one of the main parachutes. This robust design reflects ISRO’s emphasis on risk mitigation and mission reliability as it prepares for India’s maiden human spaceflight.

Conclusion

The successful Main Parachute test for the Gaganyaan Crew Module is a testament to India’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight. By validating complex systems like reefed inflation under asymmetric load conditions, ISRO has demonstrated its readiness for upcoming crewed missions. With continued testing and collaboration between ISRO, DRDO, and the Indian Armed Forces, India moves closer to achieving its goal of independently launching and safely returning astronauts from space, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s space exploration journey.