Big Boost for Gaganyaan! DRDO Nails High-Speed Drogue Parachute Test

India’s human spaceflight mission achieved a major milestone as DRDO successfully conducted the qualification level load test of the Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute. The test was carried out on February 18, 2026 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. The successful test validates the parachute’s safety margin and strengthens India’s preparation for the Gaganyaan mission, a flagship programme of ISRO aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space.

Where Was the Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Tested?

The qualification test was conducted at,

• Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility
• Located at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh
• Operated under Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
• RTRS is a specialized dynamic test facility used for high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations.

What Is a Drogue Parachute in Gaganyaan Mission?

The Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute plays a critical role in the safe descent of the crew module during re-entry.

It is designed to,

• Stabilize the spacecraft during descent
• Reduce speed before main parachutes deploy
• Ensure safe splashdown

The test simulated qualification-level loads that are higher than maximum expected flight loads, proving additional safety margins.

Agencies Involved in the Successful Test

The qualification test was conducted jointly by,

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (ISRO)
• Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (DRDO)
• TBRL’s dedicated technical teams
• The collaboration demonstrates strong coordination between ISRO and DRDO under India’s human spaceflight programme.

Why This Test Is Important for Gaganyaan Mission

The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts (Gagannauts) into Low Earth Orbit and safely bring them back.

The successful Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute test confirms,

• High-strength ribbon parachute capability
• Indigenous design and manufacturing expertise
• Enhanced safety reliability
• This is a critical step toward crew safety certification.

Leadership Reactions and Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision

• Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, ISRO, and industry partners, calling the achievement a big step toward the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, also praised the teams for successfully completing the qualification-level load test.
• The milestone reflects India’s growing self-reliance in space and defence technologies.

About Gaganyaan Programme

• The Gaganyaan Programme is India’s first human spaceflight mission led by ISRO.
• It aims to send a crew of Indian astronauts into orbit for about three days and return them safely to Earth.
• The mission involves advanced systems including crew modules, life support, launch vehicles and parachute recovery systems.
• Successful parachute qualification tests are crucial for ensuring astronaut safety during atmospheric re-entry.

Question

Q. The Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute qualification test was conducted at which facility?

A) Satish Dhawan Space Centre
B) TBRL Chandigarh
C) DRDL Hyderabad
D) HAL Bengaluru