India has officially set 2035 as the target year for its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan confirmed in an interview with ANI that the first module has already been approved. This marks a decisive step in India’s ambition to join the elite group of nations with a permanent human presence in space.

India is preparing for a major leap in space exploration. Dr V Narayanan announced during the third National Space Day in Ahmedabad that the Bharatiya Antariksha Station will be operational by 2035. The first module has already received approval, signalling the beginning of India’s long-term human spaceflight program.

The Bharatiya Antariksha Station will be a modular facility in low Earth orbit. The first module, BAS-01, is scheduled for launch in 2028 aboard the LVM-3 rocket. It will serve as the base unit, with subsequent modules added gradually until the full station is complete. The final structure will weigh about 52 tons and host three to six astronauts for extended missions.

The station will consist of five modules. BAS-01 will provide life support systems, oxygen, water recycling, food storage, and solar power generation. BAS-02 will be the habitation module, equipped with beds, a kitchen, gym, and bathroom. BAS-03 will be the research laboratory for experiments in medicine, materials, and biology.

BAS-04 will serve as the logistics module, storing food, water, fuel, and spare parts. BAS-05 will be an additional module, either expanding laboratory capacity or boosting power generation.

The Gaganyaan mission is closely linked to the space station project. India’s first crewed mission will demonstrate safe astronaut transport to low Earth orbit and back, laying the groundwork for sustained human presence in space. Technologies such as docking systems, crew safety, and life-support will be tested and refined through Gaganyaan before being integrated into the station.

India’s space program has expanded significantly since its inception 64 years ago. Today, it supports more than 50 applications, including Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, disaster management, and real-time monitoring. The Bharatiya Antariksha Station represents a shift from individual missions to sustained human activity in orbit.

The project is expected to boost India’s scientific research, particularly in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and climate monitoring. Experiments in microgravity could lead to breakthroughs in medicine for diseases such as tuberculosis and diabetes. The station will also enhance disaster management and agricultural monitoring, directly benefiting citizens.

Economically, the station is expected to generate high-tech jobs, foster Start-Ups, and strengthen India’s space industry. International collaboration is also anticipated, with ISRO designing BAS-01 subsystems to comply with global standards, ensuring interoperability with other agencies. NASA has already expressed interest in supporting India’s long-term space ambitions under the Artemis Accords.

Security is another critical dimension. Space is increasingly seen as a new battlefield, with nations developing anti-satellite weapons and space defence technologies. India’s space station will provide expertise in docking, robotic arms, and satellite repair, strengthening its strategic capabilities.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the role of private participation in India’s space sector, noting that commercial involvement has expanded ISRO’s operational capacity. The government has positioned private industry as a key partner in achieving these ambitious goals.

The Bharatiya Antariksha Station is not just a technological milestone but also a symbol of India’s aspiration to become a global leader in space exploration. It will inspire young Indians to pursue careers in science and engineering, while positioning India as a major space power by 2035.

Agencies