DRDO Conducts Successful Qualification Test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute

🚀 Key Milestone for India's Human Spaceflight

India’s highly anticipated Gaganyaan Programme has achieved another critical milestone. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the qualification level load test of the Drogue Parachute.

This critical test was executed at the specialized Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility located at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh on February 18, 2026.

Chandigarh TBRL Location

RTRS Test Facility

Drogue Parachute Type

🪂 Technology & Collaborative Synergy

The success of this dynamic test is a testament to the seamless collaboration between premier Indian space and defense agencies. The simulated qualification level loads were deliberately kept higher than the maximum flight loads to prove an additional design safety margin.

🤝 Joint Operation

The test was a joint effort between VSSC (ISRO), ADRDE (DRDO), and dedicated teams from TBRL.

🚄 RTRS Facility

The Rail Track Rocket Sled is a specialized dynamic test facility used extensively for high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations.

🎀 Ribbon Parachutes

The test proved India’s growing indigenous expertise in designing and manufacturing high-strength ribbon parachutes for aerospace applications.

🇮🇳 Vision Atmanirbhar Bharat

This achievement highlights TBRL’s immense contribution by providing advanced test facilities, instrumentation, and technical expertise for national space and defense programs.

Defence Minister's Praise: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, ISRO, and the Industry, terming it a big step towards furthering the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
DRDO Leadership: Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, congratulated the associated teams on simulating the rigorous qualification-level load tests.