ISRO successfully tests Gaganyaan parachutes, Marks key step toward crewed mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone in its ambitious Gaganyaan mission by successfully conducting the Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test on November 3, 2025, at the Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.

The test was designed to simulate extreme conditions that might occur when the crew module re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. During the experiment, ISRO intentionally delayed one parachute’s opening to check the system’s reliability. Despite this, the module achieved a stable descent and smooth landing, proving that even two parachutes are sufficient for a safe recovery, a critical safety validation for the mission.

The test was carried out in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Army. Officials said the success demonstrates the robustness of the parachute system, which plays a vital role in ensuring astronauts’ safety during re-entry and landing.

With this achievement, ISRO moves one step closer to its goal of sending Indian astronauts into space. The space agency is now preparing for uncrewed Gaganyaan test flights in 2026, paving the way for India’s first crewed space mission by 2027.