Lok Sabha Question No. 520 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT)
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 520

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 03 DECEMBER, 2025 INTEGRATED MAIN PARACHUTE AIRDROP TESTS (IMAT)

520. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  will  explain  the  manner  in  which learning  from  the  recent  Integrated  Main  Parachute  Airdrop Tests (IMAT) will influence the final mission readiness timelines for the Gaganyaan programme;
- (b) if so, the detailed schedule thereof and if not, the reasons for uncertainty in mission planning therefor;
- (c) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has conducted any independent third-party validation, international peer review or expert audit of the Crew Module Parachute System design and associated test results;
- (d) if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons for avoiding external oversight in a human-rated mission;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to publicly release safety certifications,  technical  validation  reports  and  qualification documentation  of  the  Gaganyaan  Crew  Module  parachute system prior to the first manned launch and if so, the timeline
- and  if  not,  the  reasons  for  withholding  transparency  from Parliament and the public therefor;
- (f) whether  the  Government  will  provide  Assurance  that  all lessons from IMAT and other integrated tests are incorporated  into  astronaut  training,  emergency  protocols and  ground  recovery  operations,  if  not,  the  details  of  the reason for crew preparedness potentially being compromised; and
- (g) whether the Government will issuing a detailed risk assessment report to Parliament?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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(a) & (b)

The recent successful accomplishment of Integrated Main Parachute Air Drop Test (IMAT) is part of ongoing series of tests for the  qualification  of  parachute  system  for  Gaganyaan  Missions.  In the recent IMAT, one of the possible extreme scenarios of delay in the disreefing between the two main parachutes was successfully demonstrated  validating  the  main  parachutes  for  the  maximum design. The test evaluated the system's structural integrity and load distribution under asymmetric disreefing conditions-one of the most critical  load  scenarios  expected  during  actual  mission  descent. Successful  accomplishment  of  this  test  is  an  important  milestone towards the human  rating of the Gaganyaan  Crew Module's parachute-based  deceleration  system  and  therefore,  enable  the launch of the first crewed Gaganyaan mission which is targeted by

Q1 of 2027. (c) & (d) Yes, ISRO conducts expert reviews of the Crew Module parachute system design and associated test results in forums such as Design Review  Team  (DRT),  Independent  Assessment  Committee  and National  Advisory  Panel  (NAP)  for  Human  Rating  &  Certification comprising of eminent national experts. (e) ISRO has been periodically publicly disseminating the information  related  to  outcome  of  the  major  tests  &  missions including the recently conducted IMAT and will continue to do so in future also.

- (f) Crew safety is of paramount importance in Gaganyaan mission.  All  systems  undergo  intensive  qualification  and  testing. Test  plan  and  results  of  each  qualification  tests  are  reviewed  by expert committee. Observations/lessons, if any during the qualification tests are analysed and necessary changes are incorporated in the systems and revalidation is carried out through repeat test and re-qualification.

Handling  of  emergency  situations  in  the  mission  is  part  of  crew training. Various anticipated emergencies and mitigation procedures  will  be  practiced  by  the  Gaganyatris  in  the  Training Simulators.  The  training  will  also  address  survival  scenarios  to ensure  preparedness  for  off-nominal  landing  and  the  utilisation  of onboard Emergency Survival Kit. During training, periodic psychological  interactions  are  being  conducted  as  part  of  the holistic health management of the Gaganyatris. (g) ISRO  has  institutionalised  mechanism  for  assessment  and mitigation of risks involved in the Gaganyaan Missions. This is being carried out following established risk assessment processes, procedures  and  standards.  Human  Rating  Certification  Board  and National Advisory Panel have been constituted for the above. This mechanism will ensure overall risk is within the acceptable limit.

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