Overview
- ISRO said two Rail Track Rocket Sled trials on December 18–19 achieved all objectives, confirming reliability across varying flight conditions.
- The tests at DRDO’s TBRL facility in Chandigarh included reefed openings, with reports indicating sled speeds of about 600 km per hour.
- Drogue parachutes stabilize and decelerate the crew module before three pilot chutes extract three mains in a 10-parachute deployment sequence that starts with apex cover separation.
- The qualification effort involved Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ADRDE and TBRL, underscoring a coordinated multi-agency campaign.
- The milestone advances human-rating of the deceleration system as ISRO targets an uncrewed Gaganyaan demonstration in 2026.