A resounding success in India’s Gaganyaan program: DRDO’s drogue parachute endured extreme loads in a qualification test at Chandigarh’s TBRL rail track facility. This validates its role in safely bringing back astronauts from orbit.
The mission’s blueprint is clear—launch three Indians to 400 km low Earth orbit for a three-day stint, then orchestrate a precise splashdown. Drogue parachutes initiate the braking sequence, curbing speed and orientation for main canopy deployment.
Test conditions simulated peak flight pressures plus a safety buffer, affirming the design’s over-engineering for reliability. This indigenous feat proves India’s capability to craft world-class parachutes without foreign aid.
Official reactions were swift. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams, linking it to self-reliant India goals. DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat praised the collaborative spirit involving ISRO’s VSSC and aerial delivery experts.
Experts emphasize how this milestone accelerates Gaganyaan timelines, enhances testing infrastructure, and bolsters national tech sovereignty in space exploration and defense applications.