How will Gaganyaan astronauts return safely to earth? | Explained

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ISRO conducts the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan astatine  Satish Dhawan Space Centre, successful  Sriharikota, connected  April 10

ISRO conducts the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan astatine Satish Dhawan Space Centre, successful Sriharikota, connected April 10 | Photo Credit: ANI

The unit module, wherever the astronauts reside, orbits the world astatine a precocious velocity of astir 7,800 m/s. When the module returns to the world and re-enters the atmosphere, it faces the situation of shedding its kinetic energy. Atmospheric resistance itself acts arsenic the superior brake and takes distant the bulk of its energy, done aerobraking. To further trim its velocity for a brushed landing, a multi-stage parachute system, initiated by pyro-actuated mortars, is deployed erstwhile the module reaches desired altitude (below 12 km).

A emblematic betterment strategy includes each the items required to soft-land the module successful oversea oregon connected onshore aft the aero braking phase. This includes parachutes, locating devices to find retired wherever the module has splashed down and the up-righting strategy to support the predisposition of the module successful the favourable absorption successful lawsuit of a oversea landing. The SpaceX-Dragon, Gaganyaan and NASA Orion unit modules are emblematic examples for oversea landing.

Published - April 15, 2026 07:31 p.m. IST

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