DRDO conducts successful qualification test for drogue parachute for ISRO’s Gaganyaan manned space mission
The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme, aiming to send a three-member crew on a three-day mission to space and return them safely to Earth
India’s human spaceflight programme has achieved a key milestone with the successful qualification level load test of the drogue parachute for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
The RTRS dynamic test simulating qualification level loads, which are higher than the maximum loads during actual flight, shows the additional design safety margin of parachute.
The test was conducted by TBRL collaboration with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of ISRO and the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, another DRDO laboratory, the research agency said on Thursday.
The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme, aiming to send a three-member crew on a three-day mission to space and return them safely to Earth.
Different types of parachutes are required for the controlled descent of the mission’s crew module after it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere. The parachutes are being evaluated by TBRL.
The deceleration system of the crew module comprises a total of 10 parachutes of four types. The descent sequence begins with two apex cover separation parachutes that remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment, followed by two drogue parachutes that stabilise and decelerate the module.
Upon release of the drogues, three pilot parachutes are deployed to extract three main parachutes, which further slow down the crew module to ensure a safe touchdown.
A crucial component of this system is the deployment of drogue parachutes, which play a pivotal role in stabilising the crew module and also reducing its velocity to a safe level during re-entry
The test proves India’s expertise in designing and manufacturing of high strength ribbon parachutes. The achievement once again highlights TBRL’s immense contributions by providing advanced test facilities, instrumentation and technical expertise for space and defence programmes, DRDO said.
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has complimented DRDO, ISRO and the industry involved on the successful qualification test of the drogue parachute. The test is another big step in furthering the vision of self-reliance, he said.
The Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V. Kamat has also congratulated the teams associated with the successful qualification level load test.
