ISRO holds air-drop test for Gaganyaan mission , Pg12

Key Highlights:

• ISRO successfully conducted the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1) for the Gaganyaan mission.
• A dummy crew capsule weighing around five tonnes was dropped from a Chinook helicopter.
• The test aimed to validate the reliability of the parachute system for the Gaganyaan crew module.
• Multiple national agencies including the Air Force, DRDO, Navy, and Coast Guard collaborated in the test.

Detailed Insights:

• The IADT simulates real-world conditions to ensure the parachute system functions effectively during the descent of the crew module.
• The Gaganyaan mission's ascent, descent, and post-splashdown phases are considered the riskiest for astronauts.
• Prior to the parachute deployment, the crew capsule will be slowed by heat shields and drogue parachutes after re-entering the atmosphere.
• Preparatory work for Gaganyaan includes development and testing of propulsion systems, environmental control, and life support systems.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Gaganyaan: India's human spaceflight programme to send astronauts into Earth's orbit.
• Crew Module: The habitable part of the spacecraft where astronauts are housed during spaceflight.
• Parachute System: A system used to decelerate the crew module during its descent for a safe landing.