ISRO: Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) Boosts Gaganyaan Mission Progress
Successful airdrop near Sriharikota proves key parachute system for safe crew landing.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program with the successful completion of the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) on Sunday near Sriharikota. Conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), the test validated the parachute-based deceleration system critical for ensuring the safe landing of the crew module, marking a pivotal step toward India’s first manned space mission.
The IADT-01, performed using a 4.8-tonne simulated crew module, demonstrated the end-to-end functionality of the deceleration system under a simulated mission scenario. ISRO’s press release detailed that the test involved dropping the module from an altitude of approximately 3 km using an Indian Air Force Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. The parachute system, identical to that planned for Gaganyaan missions, comprises ten parachutes: two Apex Cover Separation (ACS) parachutes, two drogue parachutes, three pilot parachutes, and three main canopies, each 25 meters in diameter.
The test sequence began with the firing of an ACS mortar, deploying 2.5-meter ACS parachutes to separate the apex cover. This was followed by drogue parachutes, which initiated deceleration, and pilot parachutes, which deployed the main canopies to reduce the module’s velocity to a safe 8 meters per second for touchdown. Post-landing, the main parachutes were released using parachute releasers, ensuring a precise and controlled sequence. The test also simulated an abort scenario on the launch pad, with onboard avionics managing the deceleration sequence and transmitting data to ground stations.
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Following a successful splashdown in the sea, the simulated crew module was recovered and transported back to Chennai port aboard INS Anvesha, with support from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. ISRO highlighted the collaborative effort, noting contributions from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force, and other agencies. Extensive modeling of the crew module and helicopter dynamics, along with multiple trial sorties, preceded the test, which was cleared by the Test Authorisation Board (TAB).
The Gaganyaan program, aimed at sending Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, relies on the parachute-based deceleration system to ensure a safe sea landing during the mission’s terminal phase. Sunday’s test validated the system’s performance under realistic conditions, addressing critical safety requirements. ISRO plans additional tests under varying deployment scenarios in the coming days to further refine the system.
This successful trial underscores India’s growing prowess in space exploration and brings the nation closer to achieving its goal of human spaceflight. With inter-agency cooperation and rigorous testing, ISRO continues to pave the way for a historic milestone in India’s space journey.
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