ISRO conducts test of key component for Gaganyaan mission

S&T – SPACE

6 JULY 2026

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out the first ground test of the solid motor-based Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) at its Static Test Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The SOLVE solid motor is a key component for conducting Gaganyaan test missions and the first ground test was carried out on July 3.
• The ISRO is developing a solid motor-based SOLVE as a test platform to carry out Integrated Parachute Tests for validation of deceleration system of Gaganyaan’s crew module under various test conditions.
• During these test missions, the crew module will be carried to an altitude of 10 km to 17 km and separated from the vehicle.
• A series of 10 parachutes will be deployed to reduce the velocity of the crew module before splashdown in the sea.
• The solid stage of SOLVE is derived from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Strap-on Motor with a few modifications to meet the Gaganyaan test requirements, including development of slow burn rate propellant and straight nozzle with secondary injection thrust vector control.
• The ISRO said that during the test motor performance parameters were as expected.
• Over the past few months, the ISRO has carried out key tests related to the Gaganyaan mission, which include the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) and a behavioural study Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) in Leh, during which the four Indian astronauts selected for the mission along with scientists, engineers and medical teams were subjected to a week-long study.