Gaganyaan Airdrop Test: How India Will Send Humans To Space And Bring Them Back | Explained

Last Updated:August 25, 2025, 21:24 IST

ISRO's Gaganyaan mission achieved a key milestone with the IADT-01 air drop test near Sriharikota, validating safe splashdown for future astronauts in the Bay of Bengal

News18

On August 24, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) of the Gaganyaan mission. Conducted near the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the test marked a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward sending humans into space.

The test involved a Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force flying at an altitude of 3.5 to 4 kilometres and releasing the crew module into the Bay of Bengal. Using its parachute-based deceleration system, the module descended safely into the sea. ISRO officials explained that the demonstration was critical to ensure a soft landing during the spacecraft’s eventual return from orbit.

“This test validates the safe splashdown of the crew module in the sea, a key requirement before sending astronauts into space," ISRO noted.

The airdrop trial was conducted jointly by ISRO, the Indian Air Force, DRDO, the Indian Navy, and the Coast Guard. Their combined effort focused on assessing the parachute system’s performance under real conditions.

What Is The Gaganyaan Mission?

Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight mission, developed by ISRO, which aims to send three astronauts into low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 400 kms for a duration of three days and return them safely to Earth. The ambitious plan has been described as a defining step in India’s space exploration journey.

Purpose Of The airdrop Test?

The Integrated Air Drop Test specifically evaluated the parachute system that will bring the crew module back to Earth. The module, designed to house astronauts, must survive re-entry into the atmosphere and then slow down enough for a safe splashdown in the sea.

During the test, two drogue parachutes and three main parachutes were deployed to decelerate the module. In the actual mission, Gaganyaan will carry as many as 10 parachutes in sequence to ensure redundancy and safety.

How Will Gaganyaan Travel Into Space?

The spacecraft will not travel independently. It will ride atop India’s heaviest launch vehicle, the GSLV Mk III, from Sriharikota. The rocket, costing around Rs 400 crore per launch, will carry the two-part spacecraft:

1. Crew Module: A pressurised capsule designed to house three astronauts with life-support systems such as oxygen supply, temperature control, and waste management.

2. Service Module: Equipped with propulsion, power supply, and other systems that support the crew during flight.

Once the GSLV Mk III places Gaganyaan into orbit, the spacecraft will function independently for its three-day mission. The astronauts will remain inside the crew module, where they can conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, including biological studies, material research, and Earth observation.

How Will The Astronauts Return To Earth?

At the end of the mission, the service module will guide the crew module out of orbit. After separation, the crew module will re-enter the atmosphere, protected by a heat shield to withstand the intense temperatures. As it approaches Earth, the parachute system will deploy, gradually reducing its speed before splashdown in the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard will then retrieve the astronauts and the capsule.

Safety Measures

To ensure astronaut safety, ISRO has built a crew escape system into Gaganyaan. In case of failure during launch, this emergency system can jettison the crew module away from the rocket and bring the astronauts down safely with parachutes.

When Will They Fly On Gaganyaan?

Although the Integrated Air Drop Test was a success, ISRO has clarified that astronauts will not be sent immediately. Two unmanned test flights and another flight carrying a humanoid robot are planned before the first human mission. The agency is aiming for India’s first manned spaceflight under Gaganyaan by the end of 2026.

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First Published:

August 25, 2025, 21:24 IST

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