The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission by successfully conducting parachute deployment tests at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility in Chandigarh. These trials, carried out between August 8 and 10, 2023, represent a crucial step in ensuring astronaut safety during the re-entry phase of India’s first human spaceflight programme.

Rocket-sled trials at Chandigarh

ISRO engineers conducted the tests in collaboration with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) using a rocket-powered sled racing along a rail track. The experimental setup simulated high-speed conditions to verify whether the mortar-packed parachutes could deploy effectively during a fiery re-entry.

The video footage released by ISRO showed a 5.8-metre conical ribbon drogue parachute deploying from a test capsule mounted on the sled. The system is designed to slow down and stabilize the Gaganyaan crew module, ensuring a safe descent after orbital missions.

Three test scenarios validated

During the series of tests, ISRO engineers evaluated the parachute system under three critical scenarios:

• Partially deployed (reefed)

• Fully deployed (disreefed)

• Deployed at a steep angle to simulate re-entry

Each test was successful, confirming that the parachute system can withstand extreme aerodynamic forces and guarantee reliable deployment during high-speed descent. According to ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the trials marked a major qualification milestone for the mission’s safety systems.

Gaganyaan’s vision for India’s human spaceflight

The Gaganyaan mission is India’s most ambitious human spaceflight programme, aiming to send a three-member crew into a 400 km low Earth orbit for a multi-day mission. After completing their stay in space, the astronauts will return with a splashdown in Indian waters, similar to the re-entry and recovery methods used by the United States.

ISRO has already partnered with the Indian Navy for multiple recovery rehearsals, ensuring that astronauts can be safely brought back after landing in the sea.

Upcoming milestones

Before the actual crewed launch, ISRO has planned two uncrewed demonstration flights to validate both the crew capsule and the launch vehicle. These uncrewed missions will test systems like life support, launch escape, parachutes, and recovery mechanisms.

If these demonstration missions succeed, India will join the United States, Russia, and China as the only nations capable of independently conducting human spaceflights.

Why parachute tests matter

The parachute system is one of the most critical safety mechanisms of the mission. During re-entry, the Gaganyaan crew module will be traveling at hypersonic speeds before atmospheric drag slows it down. Parachutes provide the final braking system, reducing the capsule’s velocity to ensure a safe splashdown.

By testing the parachutes under extreme simulated conditions at RTRS Chandigarh, ISRO demonstrated its engineering readiness and capability to safeguard astronauts during one of the riskiest phases of human spaceflight.

India’s step toward space leadership

The success of these trials not only brings India closer to achieving its first crewed space mission but also enhances its reputation as a leading spacefaring nation. With the Gaganyaan mission, India is aiming to showcase indigenous human spaceflight technology and inspire future collaborations in international space exploration.

This mission also aligns with India’s broader vision of developing advanced capabilities in space research, exploration, and technology innovation, ultimately paving the way for future projects like space stations, lunar exploration, and interplanetary missions.

Conclusion

The successful parachute deployment trials in Chandigarh are a critical achievement for ISRO and a major step forward for the Gaganyaan mission. With every test, India inches closer to sending its astronauts into space aboard an indigenous spacecraft.

These trials highlight India’s growing expertise in human spaceflight safety systems, marking its readiness to enter an elite global club. If the upcoming uncrewed demonstration flights and subsequent crewed mission succeed, India will become the fourth nation in the world to achieve this capability.

The Gaganyaan mission represents not just a technological leap but also a symbol of national pride, signaling that India is prepared to take bold steps into the future of space exploration.

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