🌍 Re-entry and Recovery

One of the most critical phases of the Gaganyaan mission is the safe re-entry and recovery of the Crew Module. It involves navigating the high-velocity return from orbit, surviving extreme heat, and performing a controlled splashdown in the sea for crew extraction.

• Controlled De-orbit: The Service Module separates, and the Crew Module performs a de-orbit burn to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at a calculated angle and speed.
• Thermal Protection System: The module’s heat shield protects it from scorching re-entry temperatures, reaching up to 1,600°C.
• Parachute Deployment: A multi-stage parachute system slows the module during descent, beginning with drogue chutes followed by main canopies.
• Ocean Splashdown: The module is designed to land safely in the Bay of Bengal, where it remains afloat using built-in flotation systems.
• Recovery Operations: Specially trained teams from the Indian Navy, along with ISRO ground support, will locate, retrieve, and assist the astronauts post-landing.

Every step of the re-entry and recovery sequence is being validated through uncrewed test flights and simulations to ensure astronaut safety in real-world conditions.