Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF) in Hazratpur, Firozabad, located approximately three hours from Delhi, is actively engaged in manufacturing parachutes crucial for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission.
This facility, under the Ministry of Defence, is pivotal in producing drogue parachutes essential for safely transporting astronauts to and from space by moderating velocity during re-entry.
Amit Singh, General Manager at OEF, outlined the intricate manufacturing process involving conical ribbon-type drogue parachutes. These parachutes measure 5.8 meters in diameter and are designed to minimize canopy mechanics and manage opening shock for smooth deceleration.
The parachute deployment sequence includes multiple steps to ensure the crew module's safe deceleration. This includes Apex cover deployment, stabilization parachute separation, and the critical ejection and deployment of two drouge parachutes.
The primary goal of the Gaganyaan mission is to achieve India's first indigenous human spaceflight, facilitating safe transport of astronauts to and from space.
The design and development of these parachutes are a result of collaboration between DRDO and ISRO, meticulously tailored to meet the mission's stringent requirements.
Each main parachute canopy requires approximately 5000 hours of manufacturing time. The system is designed to support a total weight of up to 3000 kg across its three main parachutes.
The Gaganyaan mission employs four types of parachutes, each serving specific roles such as stabilization, deceleration, and safe landing. These include Ring Slot ACS Canopy, Pilot Parachute - Ring Slot Canopy, Drouge Parachute - Conical Ribbon Canopy, and Main Canopy - Circular Slotted.
With ongoing production efforts at OEF Hazratpur, the parachutes are expected to be ready for deployment within the next three months, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavours.