Chandigarh 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed a crucial set of qualification tests for the drogue parachutes being developed for the Gaganyaan Crew Module’s deceleration system. The tests were conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh on December 18 and 19.

Announcing the milestone on X, ISRO said the trials validated the deployment, performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes across a range of flight conditions, marking an important step towards certifying the parachute system for India’s human spaceflight programme.

Heartening to note that India has moved one more step closer to its first Human Space mission #Gaganyaan.

ISRO successfully completed the Drogue Parachute Deployment Qualification Tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module at the RTRS facility of TBRL, Chandigarh, during 18–19 December… pic.twitter.com/ci47TQDaoA

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) December 20, 2025

According to ISRO, the Crew Module’s deceleration system consists of 10 parachutes across four different categories. The descent sequence begins with the deployment of two apex cover separation parachutes that remove the protective housing of the parachute compartment. This is followed by two drogue parachutes, which help stabilise the module and significantly reduce its speed. Once the drogues are released, three pilot parachutes deploy to extract three main parachutes, enabling further deceleration for a safe splashdown.

The drogue parachutes play a critical role in ensuring stability and controlling velocity during the module’s atmospheric descent. The latest test series focused on evaluating their performance under demanding and variable conditions.

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…

— ISRO (@isro) December 20, 2025

Both RTRS tests were carried out successfully on December 18 and 19, meeting all predefined objectives. ISRO said the results confirmed the robustness and dependable functioning of the drogue parachutes even under significant variations in simulated flight environments.

The qualification campaign was conducted with active support from multiple institutions, including the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), DRDO, and TBRL, DRDO.

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India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission aims to send a three-member crew into a 400-kilometre low-Earth orbit for a three-day mission before ensuring their safe return to Earth with a landing in Indian waters.