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• ISRO successfully conducted three qualification tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module on 12 and 13 July 2026, marking another significant milestone in India’s first indigenous human spaceflight programme.
• The first test validated the Crew Module Up-righting System, which uses cold-gas inflation technology to automatically restore the crew capsule to an upright position after sea splashdown.
• The second qualification test verified the Crew Module–Service Module Connect and Disconnect System, ensuring safe umbilical separation and structural stability during module separation before re-entry.
• The third test assessed the Crew Module’s structural integrity during Apex Cover Separation, confirming its ability to withstand the intense loads generated when the parachute protection cover is jettisoned.
• During the structural qualification test, the crew module was subjected to loads approximately 1.75 times higher than expected during an actual mission, successfully remaining within all prescribed design limits.
• The Apex Cover protects the parachute system during flight, making its safe separation essential for successful parachute deployment and controlled crew module recovery.
• These successful qualification tests further validate the reliability of critical crew safety systems required for India’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission, strengthening mission readiness.
• The latest achievement reinforces ISRO’s progress toward launching India’s first crewed space mission by ensuring high standards of astronaut safety, recovery capability, and mission reliability.