New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major breakthrough in its human spaceflight programme with the successful completion of its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the Gaganyaan Mission.
The test demonstrated the parachute-based deceleration system, a crucial safety component for crewed missions. ISRO confirmed that the trial was carried out in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard.
In a post on X, ISRO said: “ISRO successfully accomplishes first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for end-to-end demonstration of parachute-based deceleration system for Gaganyaan missions. This test is a joint effort of ISRO, Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.”
Earlier this week, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh informed Parliament that development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) had already been completed. He also highlighted progress on the Orbital Module, Crew Escape System, recovery infrastructure, and training facilities.
According to Singh, India’s human spaceflight roadmap includes:
- Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS): A five-module space station planned for 2035, with approval already secured for its first module.
- Indian Moon Mission: A national vision to land an Indian on the Moon by 2040, with launch vehicle and orbital module configurations already under study.
He added that India’s human space programme reflects the broader goal of building advanced technological and manufacturing capabilities as part of the nation’s vision for Viksit Bharat.
