ISRO conducts first air drop test ahead of December Gaganyaan mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the parachute-based deceleration system of the Gaganyaan mission.
The test marks a critical milestone in validating safety mechanisms to ensure the secure return of astronauts to Earth.
According to to ISRO, the demonstration was carried out 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.”
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, reported News On Air.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Narayanan said Gaganyaan is progressing well, as 80 per cent of tests, or around seven thousand 700 tests, have been conducted so far. He added that the remaining two thousand 300 tests are expected to be completed by March next year.