ISRO Clears Second Gaganyaan Air Drop Test
ISRO has completed the second Integrated Air Drop Test for the Gaganyaan mission, marking another major step in India’s human spaceflight programme. The test validated the parachute-based descent and sea recovery sequence of a simulated crew module, strengthening preparations for the country’s upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.
Gaganyaan Air Drop Test Completed
The second Integrated Air Drop Test, or IADT-02, was conducted on April 10, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. A simulated crew module weighing about 5.7 tonnes, close to the mass planned for the G1 uncrewed mission, was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to an altitude of around 3 km before being released over a sea drop zone near the Sriharikota coast.
ISRO Validates Crew Module Parachute System
During the descent, ten parachutes of four different types were deployed in sequence to reduce the module’s speed and ensure a safe landing. The test successfully demonstrated the performance of the crew module’s parachute-based deceleration system. After splashdown, the module was recovered from the sea with support from the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and DRDO.
Gaganyaan Mission Preparations Progress
The successful completion of IADT-02 follows the first integrated air drop test held in August 2025. The latest milestone is significant because it improves confidence in one of the most critical safety systems for the Gaganyaan programme. The air drop and recovery trials are part of the larger effort to ensure that India’s first human spaceflight mission is backed by reliable crew escape, landing and recovery capabilities.
