By A Correspondent
New Delhi: India’s plans to put a human being in space on its own platform got a boost on February 18, 2026, when it successfully carried out a qualification test for the Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute at a facility in Chandigarh.
Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) carried out the qualification level load test of the drogue parachute for the Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) programme at its Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility.
RTRS is a specialised dynamic test facility being used extensively for high speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations. The RTRS dynamic test, simulating qualification level loads which are higher than the maximum flight loads, shows the additional design safety margin of the parachute.
The Defence Ministry said the test was “a key milestone” in India’s human spaceflight programme. “The test proves India’s expertise in designing and manufacturing of high strength ribbon parachutes.,” the Defence Ministry said in the statement on February 19, 2026.
“The achievement once again highlights TBRL’s immense contributions by providing advanced test facilities, instrumentation and technical expertise for space and defence programmes,” it added.
Apart from DRDO labs TBRL and Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre also joined the RTRS test.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, ISRO and the Indian industry on the successful qualification test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute. “The test is another big step in furthering the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
DRDO Chairman and Department of Defence Research and Development Secretary Dr Samir V, Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful qualification level load test.
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