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ISRO Proves Gaganyaan Main Parachutes in Extreme Airdrop Test

The IMAT success reduces a major landing risk for the programme's next uncrewed demonstrations.

Overview

  • ISRO reported that a November 3 airdrop at Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi validated the main parachutes under an asymmetric delayed disreefing scenario.
  • A test article matching the Crew Module mass was released from 2.5 km by an Indian Air Force IL-76, and the deployment sequence produced a stable descent and soft landing.
  • The system comprises 10 parachutes across four types, using reefed inflation managed by pyrotechnic devices to control opening loads.
  • Design redundancy enables a safe touchdown with any two of the three main parachutes in case one fails to fully deploy.
  • The result is a qualification milestone before additional IMATs, abort tests and uncrewed flights, with reports indicating a possible first uncrewed launch as early as January 2026.