SOURCE: AFI
India is taking a major leap in its space ambitions with the planned launch of its own space station, named the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035. The proposal for the project was recently cleared by the Union government, marking a significant milestone in the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) journey toward establishing a permanent human presence in space.
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be developed through a series of modular launches, taking advantage of ISRO’s current launch capabilities. According to ISRO Chief S. Somanath, the initial phase of the space station’s deployment will focus on robotic operations. “We are planning it’ll be more robotic in nature because most of the work is done by robots now,” he stated, emphasizing the shift toward automation and the growing use of robotic systems in space exploration.
This phased approach allows India to test critical technologies in space without the immediate need for human crewed missions. The first phase of the station will involve robotic experiments and operations in the microgravity environment of space, allowing India to focus on research and technology development.
One of the primary goals of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is to provide an environment for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity. This space-based laboratory will serve as a platform for a wide range of experiments, including material sciences, biological research, and possibly even medical experiments. The station will also be a testing ground for technologies needed for long-term human space exploration.
Once robotic systems establish the foundational work, India will move toward human space missions, similar to the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit. The space station will offer a long-term platform for astronaut training, scientific exploration, and potential international collaborations.