ISRO Unveils Model of Bharatiya Antariksh Station
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled a model of its indigenous space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). India plans to launch the first module by 2028 and complete a five-module station by 2035. The first module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a 450 km low-earth orbit. The BAS will serve as a platform for microgravity research, technology demonstration, and potentially space tourism, marking a major leap in India's space ambitions.
Unpacked:
ISRO has achieved significant milestones, including the Chandrayaan lunar missions, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launching numerous satellites, and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory. These successes have established India as a leading space power and set the stage for more ambitious projects like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The BAS will be India’s first indigenous space station, similar in scope to early Russian and Chinese stations but smaller than the International Space Station (ISS). Its five-module design is less extensive than the ISS but will enable India to conduct independent microgravity research and technology demonstrations.
The BAS aims to advance microgravity research, support technology development, foster space science, and possibly enable space tourism. It will boost India’s scientific and technological capabilities, support commercial activities, and enhance its global status in space exploration.
Key challenges include developing heavy-lift launch vehicles, ensuring astronaut safety, managing long-term station operations, and securing sustained funding. ISRO must also develop new life support, docking, and research systems, and coordinate with international partners if needed.