DRDO conducts successful qualification test for Gaganyaan drogue parachute
Times of India
by SURENDRA SINGHFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India has made significant strides in its ambitious human spaceflight program with the successful completion of a critical test for the Gaganyaan mission. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a qualification-level load test for the drogue parachute at its Rail Track Rocket Sledge (RTRS) facility in Chandigarh. This dynamic test, simulating loads higher than those expected during flight, demonstrated the parachute's reliability and design margin, ensuring safety for crewed missions.
The drogue parachute plays a vital role during the spacecraft's high-speed re-entry phase by decelerating it before the main parachute deploys. The successful test at RTRS, a state-of-the-art facility used for aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations, highlighted India's growing expertise in advanced parachute systems. Teams from DRDO, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) collaborated on this milestone achievement.
The test not only validated the parachute's design but also showcased India's ability to develop high-strength, lightweight parachutes indigenously. This success underscores the country's commitment to becoming a self-reliant space power under the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat praised the participating teams, emphasizing the importance of this breakthrough in advancing India's human spaceflight capabilities.
For readers interested in global space exploration, this achievement marks a significant step for India's Gaganyaan programme, which
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026