India is no longer just sending spacecraft into orbit; it’s getting ready to build rooms in space. Yes, ISRO is working on India’s very own space station, where astronauts can live, work, and do experiments in zero gravity. It’s called the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), and it’s a big step after missions like Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight. Let’s break it down in simple words. No rocket science required. What is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)? The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is India’s first indigenous (made-in-India) space station that will stay in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), about 400–450 km above Earth. It will act like a space laboratory, where Indian astronauts can: Think of it as India’s own version of the ISS (International Space Station), but smaller and fully controlled by India. How many parts will the space station have?
All these will be launched separately and then joined together in space to form one complete station. When all five modules are connected, the space station will be fully operational by 2035. When will it be launched? Here’s the timeline ISRO is working with: The Union Cabinet has already approved the first module’s launch, and work on its design and systems is already in progress. Also read: Are your earbuds spying on you? Hackers target hearing gadgets using the ‘WhisperPair’ method
How many astronauts will stay there? The station is designed to host: So, it’s not meant for very long stays like the ISS, but for short research-focused missions.
What are the modules made of? Each module will be: Made from high-strength aluminium alloy (AA-2219), the same kind used in human-rated spacecraft. Since astronauts will live inside, the safety standards will be as strict as Gaganyaan. ISRO will also build two full copies of the base module on Earth for testing before sending the final one to space.
Will other countries be involved? Even though the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is an indigenous project, ISRO is designing it to meet international standards. This means the station will be capable of docking with foreign spacecraft if needed in the future.
ISRO is also exploring cooperation with other space agencies in areas such as specialised testing, joint development of certain technologies, and scientific research collaborations.
So while the station will be owned and operated by India, it will still be compatible with global space systems and open to limited international cooperation. Also read: Indian students can now take IIT-JEE mock tests on Gemini AI for free, check how to use it
How is Gaganyaan connected to the space station?
Gaganyaan is the foundation of India’s human space programme and is directly linked to the space station plan. Through Gaganyaan, ISRO will prove that it can safely send astronauts to low Earth orbit, keep them alive in space using life-support systems, and bring them back safely to Earth. These are the same core capabilities needed to operate a space station. Once these systems are successfully demonstrated, building and maintaining a permanent orbital platform like BAS becomes the natural next step. In simple terms, without Gaganyaan’s success, a space station would not be possible.
How much will this cost? The space station is part of the expanded Gaganyaan programme budget. Total approved funding: ₹20,193 crore. This includes precursor missions and technology development. The budget was officially approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024. Also read: Before you install privacy tempered glass, know these things
How does BAS fit into India’s space vision 2047? BAS is not the final destination of India’s space journey, but an important stepping stone. Under India’s Space Vision 2047, the country aims to send Indian astronauts to the Moon, carry out advanced deep-space missions, and build a strong space science and technology ecosystem. The space station will allow ISRO to conduct regular human missions, test long-duration life-support systems, and carry out research in microgravity. All of this will help India gain the experience needed for more complex and longer missions beyond Earth’s orbit.
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