The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out three major tests of the Gaganyaan crew module systems. The tests, conducted on Sunday, July 12, 2026, are crucial for ensuring the safety of the astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission.
The first test focused on ensuring the crew module assumes an upright position after splashdown in the sea. This is considered one of the most important crew safety requirements. To achieve this, a stored cold-gas-based uprighting system was developed and tested. The system-level qualification test setup was realized, and successful inflation tests were conducted for the primary inflation module.
The second test examined the separation of the umbilical mechanism that links the crew module and the service module. The mechanism consists of two parts, CSU-1 and CSU-2, located at the crew module and service module sides, respectively. During the crew module’s Earth re-entry stage, the service module separates from the crew module after CSU-1 disconnects, followed by the separation of CSU-2 just before re-entry. The test demonstrated the clean separation of CSU-2 and the structural stability of the crew module panel and their interfaces.
The third test validated the structural integrity of the crew module during the apex cover separation event. The apex cover protects the parachutes and associated subsystems during the mission and is separated before parachutes are deployed to decelerate the crew module. These successful tests mark significant milestones in the development of the Gaganyaan crew module systems.
