ISRO successfully conducts CM-SM separation tests for Gaganyaan mission

Exam-focused facts from the 18 October 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed Crew Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) separation tests for the Gaganyaan missions.
The tests were conducted at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram to validate the overall design adequacy of the separation system.
The Gaganyaan mission aims to launch a crew of three members into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission.
The tests demonstrated the robustness and shock-survivability of critical subsystems, including avionics systems and the thermal protection system.