ISRO Successfully Conducts First Air Drop Test for India’s Gaganyaan Mission

ISRO has taken a big step forward in its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission by successfully completing its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01). The test marks an important milestone in India’s journey to send astronauts into space.

A Combined Effort by Multiple Agencies

ISRO said the test was done with support from many organisations, including the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard. Sharing the update on X, ISRO wrote that the test was aimed at demonstrating a parachute-based deceleration system for Gaganyaan missions. It added that the trial showed strong cooperation between all the agencies involved.

Key Progress in the Gaganyaan Programme

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh recently informed Parliament that the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), which is to be used for Gaganyaan, has already completed development and ground testing. He also said the propulsion systems for both the Crew Module and Service Module were tested successfully. The motors designed for the Crew Escape System (CES) have also been successfully developed and tested. Essential infrastructure such as the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Control Centres, Crew Training Facility, and launch pad modifications have been set up.

Updates on Precursor Missions and Recovery Plans

Singh further explained that a test vehicle has already been developed to validate the Crew Escape System and successfully flown in the TV-D1 mission. Work is in progress on the next test vehicle, TV-D2, along with the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01). To support these missions, the communication network has already been set up, with ground stations and feeder links fully prepared for operations. Plans for crew recovery have also been drawn up, with assets and strategies in place. For the first uncrewed mission, major components like CES motors, HS200 motors, and modules for the spacecraft have been realised and stacked.

Future Vision of India’s Space Programme

The minister said India’s space mission is not just about Gaganyaan but also about long-term goals. After proving its ability to send humans into space, India’s next goal is to create systems that allow astronauts to live and work in space for longer durations. As part of this vision, the country plans to set up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) in low Earth orbit by 2035. Looking further ahead, India is also aiming to carry out a human landing on the Moon by the year 2040. Approval has already been given for the first module of BAS, which will eventually grow to five modules. Singh added that detailed planning and training are also in progress to prepare astronauts for both the Gaganyaan mission and future lunar missions.