RAS question
In December 2025, ISRO completed tests of which parachute system for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission?
Correct answer: (C) Drogue parachute.
In December 2025, ISRO completed qualification tests of the drogue parachute system for the Gaganyaan crew module.
Explanation
During December 18-19, 2025, ISRO successfully completed a series of qualification tests for Gaganyaan drogue parachutes at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of TBRL, Chandigarh. The drogue parachutes are part of the crew module's deceleration system, which has 10 parachutes of four types. In the descent sequence, apex cover separation parachutes first remove the protective cover, then two drogue parachutes deploy to stabilise and decelerate the module. After the drogues are released, pilot parachutes extract the main parachutes for further slowing and safe touchdown. The December 2025 qualification tests therefore covered the drogue parachute system, not the pilot or main parachutes.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Main parachutes are extracted later by pilot parachutes to further slow the crew module, while the December 2025 qualification tests were for drogue parachutes.
- (B) Pilot parachutes deploy only after the drogues are released and their role is to extract the main parachutes, so they were not the system tested by ISRO in December 2025.
- (D) The Gaganyaan crew module deceleration system uses apex cover separation, drogue, pilot and main parachutes; ribbon parachute was not the system tested by ISRO in December 2025.
Concept
India's human spaceflight programme falls under the Science and Technology syllabus area, especially mission-critical re-entry and recovery systems. Such details recur in RAS because ISRO milestones link current affairs with applied space technology.