The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a critical Integrated Main parachute Airdrop Test (IMAT) for the Gaganyaan Missions at the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) drop zone in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. ISRO said that the objective of the test was to qualify the Main Parachute for its structural integrity and design margins under the maximum expected load conditions in the first uncrewed Gaganyaan G1 mission. ISRO highlighted that this is the 5th test in a series of Integrated Main parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT) to qualify the critical Main Parachute for the Gaganyaan Mission. It added that the successful completion of IMAT-05 provides necessary confidence in the performance and reliability of the Main Parachute System for the first Uncrewed Gaganyaan Mission (G1).

During the test, a simulated assembly of a single main parachute and a dummy mass was dropped from an altitude of 2.5 kilometres using an Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft. The complex descent sequence began with an extractor parachute that deployed a Drogue parachute to stabilize oscillations. Upon achieving the requisite conditions, the main parachute was deployed, which slowed the payload to a safe terminal speed.

ISRO highlighted that the deceleration system of Gaganyaan Crew Module comprises a total of 10 parachutes of 4 types. The descent sequence begins with two Apex Cover Separation parachutes that remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment, followed by two Drogue Parachutes that stabilize and decelerate the module. Upon release of the drogues, three Pilot Parachutes are deployed to extract three Main Parachutes, which further slows down the Crew Module to ensure a safe splashdown in the sea.