The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on April 10, 2026 successfully conducted the Second Integrated Air Drop Test, known as IADT-02, for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. An Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter carried a simulated Crew Module weighing approximately 5.7 tonnes, identical in mass to the actual Gaganyaan G1 Crew Module, to an altitude of about three kilometres above the Sriharikota coast before releasing it over a designated drop zone in the sea. During the descent, a sequence of ten parachutes of four different types deployed in precise order, progressively decelerating the module to a safe splashdown speed. The Indian Navy undertook recovery operations and successfully retrieved the module, closing the loop on the end-to-end descent and recovery chain. IADT-02 follows the first integrated air drop test (IADT-01) conducted in August 2025 and represents another significant step towards readiness for the Gaganyaan G1 mission, India's first uncrewed demonstrator flight ahead of the crewed mission now planned for 2027. The test validated the parachute-based deceleration system under mission-representative conditions and demonstrated joint coordination between ISRO, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Gaganyaan aims to send Indian astronauts to an orbit of around 400 kilometres for a three-day mission and bring them back safely, making India the fourth country to achieve an independent human spaceflight capability.
ISRO Successfully Conducts Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan at Sriharikota
ISRO on April 10, 2026 successfully conducted the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan at Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota, validating the parachute-based deceleration system for a 5.7 tonne simulated Crew Module with 10 parachutes and Indian Navy recovery, a key step ahead of the G1 uncrewed mission and the 2027 human flight.
Key facts
- ISRO conducted IADT-02 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on April 10, 2026
- Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter dropped a 5.7-tonne simulated Crew Module from about 3 km altitude
- A sequence of 10 parachutes of 4 different types deployed precisely to decelerate the module for safe splashdown
- Indian Navy successfully recovered the module; coordinated operation involved ISRO, IAF, Navy and DRDO
- IADT-02 is a step toward the Gaganyaan G1 uncrewed demonstrator and the crewed 2027 mission targeting a 400 km orbit
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) in ISRO's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and the role of inter-agency coordination in achieving India's independent crewed space capability.
Answer (50 words):
On April 10, 2026, ISRO successfully conducted the Second Integrated Air Drop Test at Sriharikota, validating parachute-based deceleration of a 5.7 tonne simulated Crew Module using ten parachutes. The Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and DRDO jointly supported the test, a critical step before the 2027 crewed flight.
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ISRO conducted the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan on April 10, 2026. At which facility was the test carried out?
IADT-02 was carried out at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota on April 10, 2026. An IAF Chinook helicopter released a 5.7-tonne simulated Crew Module over the sea near Sriharikota; 10 parachutes of 4 types deployed in sequence, and the Indian Navy recovered the module. Other listed centres handle different activities such as launch vehicle development, satellite assembly or propulsion systems testing.
Source: ISRO
Frequently asked questions
What is IADT-02 and when was it conducted?
IADT-02, the Second Integrated Air Drop Test, was conducted by ISRO on April 10, 2026 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota to validate the parachute-based deceleration and recovery system for the Gaganyaan Crew Module.
How was the test carried out?
An Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter carried a 5.7-tonne simulated Crew Module to about 3 km altitude and released it over the sea. A sequence of 10 parachutes of four different types deployed to decelerate the module; the Indian Navy then recovered it.
Which agencies coordinated for IADT-02?
ISRO led the test with the Indian Air Force providing the drop aircraft, the Indian Navy handling recovery, and DRDO contributing to systems coordination.
How does IADT-02 fit into the Gaganyaan timeline?
It follows IADT-01 (August 2025) and is a prerequisite step before the uncrewed G1 demonstrator flight, ahead of the crewed Gaganyaan mission to a ~400 km orbit now planned for 2027.
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