ISRO Achieves Success in Air Drop Test, Paving the Way for December Gaganyaan Launch

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) as part of the Gaganyaan mission. This test evaluated the parachute-based deceleration system, marking a crucial step in ensuring the safe return of astronauts to Earth. The demonstration was a collaborative effort involving ISRO, the Indian Air Force, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard. ISRO’s post on ‘X’ highlighted the accomplishment, emphasizing the joint nature of the project. India’s first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan program, G1 with Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot, is slated for December. The ISRO chairman confirmed that the project is making good progress, with about 80 percent of the tests already completed. The remaining tests are expected to be finalized by March next year. Development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, has been finished. The Orbital Module’s propulsion systems, the Crew Module and Service Module, have been realized and tested. The Crew Escape System (CES) has seen the development and static testing of five types of motors. Infrastructure, including the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Crew training facility, and modifications to the 2nd Launch pad, has been established. Precursor Missions are underway, with a Test Vehicle used for validating the CES. Flight operations and communication network configurations are finalized. Crew Recovery Operations and recovery assets are finalized. The first Uncrewed Mission (G1) involves key component realizations.