Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful execution of the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan mission, a significant development in India’s first human spaceflight programme scheduled for next year. In a post shared on X, Singh acknowledged the achievement, underscoring the importance of this milestone for India’s aspirations in space exploration.

Congratulations #ISRO for the successful accomplishment of Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for #Gaganyaan, India’s first Human Space flight scheduled next year.

The second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) was successfully conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Station…

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) April 10, 2026

Details of the Second Integrated Air Drop Test

The IADT-02 test took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota, building upon the successes of the first test, IADT-01, which was conducted on August 24, 2025. The earlier iteration confirmed the full performance of the parachute-based deceleration system tailored for the Crew Module of the Gaganyaan mission. Singh highlighted how the successful completion of IADT-02 signifies substantial progress towards preparing for the upcoming human spaceflight mission.

According to official statements from ISRO, the Gaganyaan mission aims to showcase India’s capability to deploy a three-member crew into a 400-km orbit and facilitate their safe return to Earth after a three-day mission. The mission will employ the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, which is designed to support human spaceflight requirements.

The parachute-based deceleration system is an integral component during the descent phase, ensuring that the Crew Module lands in the ocean safely. This system is composed of various parachutes, including Apex Cover Separation parachutes, Drogue parachutes, Pilot parachutes, and Main parachutes. Each parachute is deployed sequentially to ensure a controlled landing, thereby guaranteeing the safety of the crew.

Significance of the Integrated Air Drop Tests

The first test, IADT-01, involved a simulated Crew Module weighing approximately 4.8 tonnes, which was released from an altitude of around 3 kilometres with the assistance of the Indian Air Force’s Chinook helicopter. This test validated the deployment sequence of the parachutes and demonstrated their effectiveness in slowing the module down for a safe touchdown speed of about 8 metres per second.

Additionally, the IADT-01 included a simulated abort scenario occurring on the launch pad. In this simulation, onboard avionics activated the parachute deployment sequence, allowing for the collection of critical parameters that would be analysed subsequently. After completing the splashdown, recovery operations were executed by naval teams, indicating the comprehensive planning and execution involved in these tests.

The Gaganyaan programme is a collaborative effort involving various agencies, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard. More tests are anticipated to ensure system reliability and performance across various conditions, contributing to the overall success of the human spaceflight mission.

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