The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday announced the successful completion of a series of qualification tests for drogue parachutes. These tests were carried out to develop a deceleration system for the Gaganyaan crew module.
The tests were conducted on December 18 and 19 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan crew module’s deceleration system consists of 10 parachutes of four different types.
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
ISRO explained that the descent sequence begins with the separation of two apex cover separation parachutes, which remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment. This is followed by the deployment of two drogue parachutes that stabilise and slow down the crew module. “Upon release of the drogues, three pilot parachutes are deployed to extract three main parachutes, which further slow down the crew module to ensure a safe touchdown,” the space agency said.
It highlighted that drogue parachutes are a critical element of the system, as they play a key role in stabilising the crew module and reducing its velocity to safe levels during atmospheric re-entry.
Detailing the purpose of the trials, ISRO said, “The objective of this specific test series was to rigorously evaluate the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under extreme conditions. Both the RTRS tests on drogue parachutes were successfully conducted on December 18 and 19, 2025. Achieving all the test objectives and confirming their robustness even under the situation of significant variation in flight conditions.”
ISRO added that the successful tests mark an important milestone toward qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight, with support from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, DRDO, and TBRL.
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