Gaganyaan: Isro successfully tests parachutes, one step closer to abort test

The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully tested the parachute that slow down the Crew Module of the Gaganyaan mission with astronauts ahead of splashdown in the ocean.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)successfully conducted a series of Drogue Parachute Deployment Tests at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh.

The tests were executed in collaboration with the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE)/DRDO.

These tests are a crucial part of the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to safely transport Indian astronauts to space and back.

A key component of this mission is the deployment of drogue parachutes. These parachutes play a pivotal role in stabilising the crew module and reducing its velocity to a safe level during re-entry.

Isro said that the drogue parachutes, packed within pyro-based devices known as mortars, are designed to eject the parachutes into the air upon command.

These conical ribbon-type parachutes, boasting a diameter of 5.8 meters, employ a single-stage reefing mechanism. This ingenious design minimises canopy area and mitigates opening shock, ensuring a smooth and controlled descent.

During the three comprehensive tests conducted at the RTRS facility, a range of real-world scenarios were simulated to rigorously evaluate the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes.

The first test simulated the maximum reefed load, marking a groundbreaking introduction of reefing in a mortar-deployed parachute within India.

The second test emulated the maximum disreefed load, while the third test showcased the deployment of the drogue parachute under conditions mirroring the maximum angle of attack experienced by the Crew Module during its mission.

These successful RTRS tests serve as a critical qualification milestone for the drogue parachutes, confirming their readiness for integration into the upcoming Test Vehicle-D1 mission.

Notably, earlier this year, the RTRS tests of Pilot and Apex cover separation parachutes were also conducted, further accentuating the progress of the Gaganyaan mission's parachute system development.

The intricate parachute sequence for the Gaganyaan crew module's deceleration system encompasses a total of 10 parachutes. The sequence commences with the deployment of two Apex cover separation parachutes, followed by the stabilization achieved through the deployment of two drogue parachutes.

Upon release of the drogue parachutes, the mission transitions into the extraction phase, with three Pilot chutes individually extracting three main parachutes, a pivotal step in reducing the Crew Module's speed to safe levels for a secure landing.