The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a series of Drogue Parachute Deployment Tests for India’s proposed human space flight mission, Gaganyaan.
The tests were conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, in collaboration with Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE)/DRDO from August 8-10.
India’s Gaganyaan mission entails the safe transportation of astronauts to space and back. The mission deploys drogue parachutes, which play an important role in stabilising the crew module and reducing its velocity to a safe level during re-entry, said the space agency on August 11.
Drogue parachutes are packed within pyro-based devices known as mortars. These parachutes are ingeniously designed to eject the parachutes into the air upon command. These conical ribbon-type parachutes of a diameter of 5.8 meters employ a single-stage reefing mechanism, skillfully minimising canopy area and mitigating opening shock, ensuring a smooth and controlled descent.
During the three comprehensive tests conducted at the RTRS facility, a range of real-world scenarios were simulated to evaluate the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes. The successful tests confirm the parachutes’ readiness for integration into the upcoming mission.
