Sriharikota: India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme took a significant step forward as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan mission at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The critical test is designed to validate the safe recovery system of the crew module—the capsule that will carry Indian astronauts into space. During the exercise, the module was released mid-air, triggering a complex parachute deployment sequence involving 10 parachutes. The system worked flawlessly, slowing the capsule to ensure a safe splashdown.
The #IAF supported successful conduct of the second Integrated Air Drop Test of #Gaganyaan Crew Module. It marks another key milestone for ISRO in the #Gaganyaan Mission.
Executed using an IAF Chinook helicopter, the trial validated the parachute-based deceleration system.
The… pic.twitter.com/fH5A20icur— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 10, 2026
The latest trial builds on the success of the first integrated air drop test conducted in August 2025, where a 4.8-tonne dummy crew module was dropped from a height of around 3 km using a Chinook helicopter. These simulations replicate the final phase of a space mission, particularly emergency scenarios such as mid-flight aborts.
Officials said the tests also assess system resilience, including performance in case of partial parachute failure and the module’s stability during descent and landing.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh lauded ISRO’s achievement, calling it a major boost to India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
With a series of successful trials underway, India is steadily moving closer to its first manned mission, now targeted for launch in 2027 from Sriharikota.
