Published: 19 February 2026PIB / Indian Defence NewsScience & Technology
ISRO-Navy Complete Gaganyaan Crew Egress Trials at INS Garuda, Kochi
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Navy jointly completed Gaganyaan crew egress trials at INS Garuda Water Survival Training Facility in Kochi on February 20, 2026. The exercise, conducted under the Southern Naval Command, simulated post-splashdown capsule extraction scenarios that astronauts will face after the Gaganyaan mission splashes down in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.
The trials involved astronaut-designates practicing emergency exit procedures from a mock crew module under various sea-state conditions, including simulated wave heights of up to 2 metres. Navy divers from the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and the Indian Coast Guard participated alongside ISRO engineers to rehearse capsule stabilisation, hatch opening, and astronaut extraction into inflatable rafts.
These exercises are a critical part of the Crew Rescue and Recovery plan mandated by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC). They form the final validation layer before ISRO proceeds with the uncrewed Gaganyaan G1 mission, currently targeted for mid-2026. The G1 mission will carry a humanoid robot, Vyommitra, and validate life support, re-entry, and recovery systems before any crewed flight.
The Southern Naval Command has designated the INS Garuda facility as the primary training hub for maritime recovery drills, given its advanced water survival pool and proximity to ISRO's Thiruvananthapuram campus. Both organisations have signed a joint protocol outlining response timelines, communication frequencies, and rescue vessel pre-positioning for actual mission recovery. The successful completion of these trials marks a significant milestone in India's crewed spaceflight readiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Where were the Gaganyaan crew egress trials held and who conducted them?
The **Gaganyaan crew egress trials** were held at **INS Garuda Water Survival Training Facility in Kochi** on **February 20, 2026**. They were jointly conducted by **ISRO** and the **Indian Navy** under the **Southern Naval Command**. The drills simulated post-splashdown astronaut recovery scenarios.
What is the purpose of the Gaganyaan crew egress trials?
The trials simulate **post-splashdown capsule extraction** that astronauts will face after the Gaganyaan mission lands in the sea. They are part of the mandatory **Crew Rescue and Recovery Plan** of ISRO's **Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC)**. They validate rescue procedures before any actual crewed mission flies.
What is the Gaganyaan G1 mission and when is it scheduled?
**Gaganyaan G1** is the first **uncrewed test flight** of India's human spaceflight programme, targeted for **mid-2026**. It will carry the humanoid robot **Vyommitra** and validate **life support, re-entry, and recovery systems** before ISRO sends human astronauts to space.
Which naval units participated in the Gaganyaan egress trials?
**MARCOS (Marine Commandos)** and the **Indian Coast Guard** participated alongside ISRO engineers. They rehearsed **capsule stabilisation, hatch opening**, and **astronaut extraction into inflatable rafts** under sea conditions simulating up to **2-metre wave heights**.
What is Vyommitra and what is its role in Gaganyaan?
**Vyommitra** is a **humanoid robot** developed by ISRO that will fly aboard the uncrewed **Gaganyaan G1 mission**. It will monitor life support systems, interact with the crew module controls, and help validate all on-board systems before actual human astronauts are sent to space.
