Gaganyaan Mission: DRDO Successfully Completes High-Load Tests for Drogue Parachutes
CHANDIGARH, Feb 19, 2026 — India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission reached a pivotal milestone yesterday following the successful completion of qualification-level load tests for its Drogue Parachute system. Conducted at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility within the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, the tests marks a significant leap forward in ensuring astronaut safety during re-entry.
The high-velocity evaluation, carried out on February 18, 2026, involved a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE). During the trial, the RTRS facility simulated extreme aerodynamic loads that exceed the maximum stresses expected during an actual flight.
This “over-testing” confirms a robust design safety margin, proving that the high-strength ribbon parachutes can withstand the intense forces required to stabilize and slow the crew module before the main parachutes deploy.
Following the successful demonstration, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh extended his congratulations to the DRDO, ISRO, and participating industry partners.
He characterized the achievement as a monumental stride toward the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) in the specialized field of space hardware manufacturing. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, also lauded the technical teams for their precision and expertise in executing the complex ballistic evaluation.