Overview
- On November 3 at Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi, a Crew Module mass simulator was dropped from an Indian Air Force IL‑76 at 2.5 km to exercise the main-parachute system.
- Engineers simulated an asymmetric disreefing case in which one main parachute fully opened later than the other, confirming structural integrity and proper load distribution.
- The deployment sequence executed as planned, producing a stable descent and soft landing that validates performance under a critical non‑standard condition.
- Gaganyaan’s recovery system uses 10 parachutes across four types with reefed inflation controlled by pyrotechnic devices, and redundancy that allows safe landing with two of the three mains.
- ISRO conducted the test within the IMAT campaign with VSSC, ADRDE/DRDO, the Indian Air Force and the Army, as preparations continue toward uncrewed flights in late 2025 or early 2026 and a crewed mission targeted for 2027.