The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the parachute-based deceleration system of the Gaganyaan mission.
The test is a crucial milestone in validating safety mechanisms designed to ensure the secure return of astronauts to Earth. According to ISRO, the demonstration was conducted in coordination with the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
In a post on X, the space agency said, “ISRO successfully accomplishes first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for end to end demonstration of parachute based deceleration system for Gaganyaan missions. This test is a joint effort of ISRO, Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.”
Gaganyaan test flight set for December
ISRO chairman V Narayanan confirmed that India’s first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, G1, will conduct its test flight in December with the half-humanoid robot Vyommitra on board.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Narayanan said the Gaganyaan project was progressing well, with 80 per cent of tests already completed. He noted that around 7,700 tests had been conducted so far, and the remaining 2,300 are expected to be finished by March next year.
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that the development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) for India’s first human spaceflight mission had been successfully completed.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Singh stated, “Orbital Module: The Propulsion systems for Crew Module and Service Module have been developed and tested. ECLSS engineering model realised. Crew Escape System (CES): 5 types of motors developed and static tested.
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Infrastructure established: Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Gaganyaan Control facility, Crew training facility, Second Launch pad modifications.”
He further noted that precursor missions were underway. “A Test Vehicle developed for validating CES and flight tested in TV-D1. Activities are in progress for TV-D2 and IADT-01.
Flight Operations and Communication Network: Ground network configuration finalised. IDRSS-1 feeder stations and terrestrial links established. Crew Recovery Operations: Recovery assets finalised. Recovery Plan worked out. First Uncrewed Mission (G1): C32-G stage and CES motors realised. HS200 Motors and CES Fore end up to Crew Module Jettisoning Motor stacked. Crew Module and Service Module structure realised. Crew Module Phase-1 checks completed,” Singh said.
Future missions
Gaganyaan-1 will feature a human-robot mission, with Vyommitra travelling to space. India is also planning its first crewed Gaganyaan flight in 2027, followed by Chandrayaan-4 in 2028, a Venus mission and the proposed Bharat Antariksh Station by 2035, Singh added.
He further said that India is targeting to place an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.
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