Context:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone in the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme with the successful completion of qualification tests for drogue parachutes. These tests are critical for ensuring the safe re-entry and landing of the crew module, a key requirement for India’s first indigenous manned space mission.
Key Highlights:
Successful Qualification Trials:
-
ISRO successfully completed drogue parachute qualification tests on December 18 and 19.
-
Tests were conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
-
Marks progress towards validating the Crew Escape and Recovery System.
Role of Drogue Parachutes in Gaganyaan:
-
Drogue parachutes are essential for stabilising the crew module during atmospheric re-entry.
-
They form a crucial component of the deceleration and landing system.
-
Functions include:
-
Reducing speed after re-entry
-
Controlling orientation and stability
-
Preparing for deployment of main parachutes
-
Importance for Human Spaceflight Safety:
-
The crew module must undergo rapid deceleration from high re-entry velocities.
-
Drogue parachutes ensure the module’s velocity is reduced to a level safe enough for:
-
Main parachute deployment
-
Controlled splashdown or landing
-
-
Successful testing enhances confidence in India’s readiness for human-rated missions.
About the Gaganyaan Mission:
-
Gaganyaan is India’s flagship programme to send Indian astronauts (Gagannauts) into space.
-
It involves:
-
Indigenous crew module
-
Life-support systems
-
Safe re-entry and recovery mechanisms
-
-
Strengthens India’s position among nations with human spaceflight capability.
Relevant Prelims Points:
-
Issue: Development of safe re-entry systems for India’s first human space mission.
-
Key Achievement: Successful drogue parachute qualification tests.
-
Test Facility: RTRS, TBRL (Chandigarh).
-
Key Terms:
-
Drogue Parachute: Stabilising parachute deployed during spacecraft descent
-
Crew Module: Section carrying astronauts
-
Relevant Mains Points:
-
Facts & Technical Concepts:
-
Human spaceflight requires high reliability in deceleration and recovery systems.
-
Drogue parachutes are vital in multi-stage parachute deployment.
-
-
Keywords & Conceptual Clarity:
-
Human-rated Technology, Crew Safety, Atmospheric Re-entry, Space Mission Recovery
-
-
Way Forward:
-
Continued testing of full parachute systems
-
Crew escape system validation
-
Final integration before manned launch
-
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
-
GS 3: Space technology, indigenous innovation, strategic science missions
-
Prelims: Gaganyaan mission components, parachute systems, ISRO facilities