New Delhi: India’s human spaceflight programme has achieved a key milestone with the successful qualification-level load test of the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan programme at the Rail Track Rocket Sledge (RTRS) facility of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
The RTRS is a specialised dynamic test facility being used extensively for high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations.
The test was conducted on February 18, 2026, with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, and Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, DRDO, alongside various dedicated teams of TBRL.
The RTRS dynamic test simulates qualification-level loads that are higher than the maximum flight loads, demonstrating the additional design safety margin of the parachute.
The test proves India’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-strength ribbon parachutes. The achievement once again highlights TBRL’s immense contributions by providing advanced test facilities, instrumentation, and technical expertise for space and defence programmes.
India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has complimented DRDO, ISRO, and industry partners on the successful qualification test of the Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute.
The test is another big step in furthering the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he said.DD
