Kashmir, August 25, 2025: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program, by successfully conducting the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) on Sunday. This critical test validated the parachute-based deceleration system designed to ensure the safe recovery of the crew module during re-entry and landing.
The test was carried out near Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, in a collaborative effort involving the Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard.The IADT-01 test demonstrated the end-to-end functionality of the parachute system, a vital component for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send a crew of three astronauts to a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission and safely return them to Earth with a splashdown in Indian waters. The test involved a dummy crew capsuleweighing approximately five tonnes, which was lifted by a Chinook helicopter and dropped to simulate re-entry conditions. The parachute system, comprising drogue parachutes, pilot chutes, and main parachutes, deployed sequentially to decelerate the capsule to a safe splashdown speed.“This test is a joint effort of ISRO, IAF, DRDO, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard,” ISRO announced on X, highlighting the coordinated effort that underscores India’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight. The successful trial follows earlier delays due to issues with the helicopter selected for the test, which were resolved after pre-mission trials in May 2024.
The Gaganyaan mission, formally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, is a cornerstone of India’s space ambitions, aiming to make India the fourth country to achieve independent crewed spaceflight. The mission’s timeline includes precursor unmanned missions, such as the first uncrewed flight (G1) scheduled for December 2025, featuring Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot designed to monitor spacecraft systems. The crewed mission is tentatively set for the first quarter of 2027.Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, recently informed Parliament that the development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) and other critical systems, including propulsion for the crew module and service module, the Crew Escape System (CES), and infrastructure like the Orbital Module Preparation Facility and Gaganyaan Control Centre, have been completed. The successful IADT-01 test paves the way for further evaluations, including additional Integrated Air Drop Tests, Pad Abort Tests, and Test Vehicle (TV-D2) missions to validate crew safety systems.
The test also aligns with India’s broader space vision, which includes establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the achievement as a “new chapter in Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” emphasizing its significance in positioning India among global space powers.With the IADT-01 success, ISRO is now preparing for the next phases of the Gaganyaan program, including recovery rehearsals at sea and additional parachute validations, ensuring astronaut safety remains paramount. This milestone strengthens India’s position in space exploration and sets a benchmark for technological prowess as the nation gears up for its historic human spaceflight mission.
