ISRO achieved a landmark success with the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT‑01) for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. The full-scale mock-up of the crew module was lifted to approximately 3 km altitude by an IAF Chinook helicopter over the Bay of Bengal before being released for a meticulously choreographed parachute descent.
The test featured a complex sequence involving ten parachutes, two Apex Cover Separation, two drogue, three pilot, and three main chutes, designed to sequentially stabilize and decelerate the module for a gentle splashdown. After touchdown, the Indian Navy successfully recovered the module, completing the critical test.
This multi-agency effort included ISRO, DRDO’s ADRDE (Agra), Indian Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, marking a coordinated achievement in mission safety and recovery protocols.
The IADT‑01’s success isn’t just a technical win, it demonstrates mission readiness and builds confidence for upcoming mission phases, crucial to human survival during reentry and splashdown.
With this test under its belt, ISRO is poised to move ahead with other final validations like pad-abort trials and uncrewed launches. The first of these, the G1 mission carrying the humanoid Vyomitra, is expected to launch as early as December 2025.The first crewed Gaganyaan mission is slated for no earlier than 2027.
