ISRO Begins Groundwork for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India’s Own Space Station in Low Earth Orbit
By Home Academy
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially begun the groundwork for building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)—India’s ambitious plan to establish its own permanent space station in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Envisioned as India’s answer to the International Space Station (ISS), BAS marks a historic leap in the country’s space exploration capabilities.
This development places India among a select group of spacefaring nations with long-term human presence plans in space, reinforcing its growing leadership in advanced space technology.
What is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)?
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) will be a modular, permanently crewed space station orbiting the Earth at an altitude of around 400 km in Low Earth Orbit. It is designed to support:
Long-duration human space missions
Advanced scientific researchTechnology demonstration and validation
Space medicine and microgravity experiments
ISRO aims to make BAS fully operational by the mid-2030s, following the successful execution of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
Why is BAS Important for India?
The launch of BAS is not just a scientific milestone—it is a strategic and technological statement. Its significance includes:
1. Strengthening Human Spaceflight Capability
BAS will enable India to conduct long-term crewed missions, essential for future lunar and interplanetary exploration.
2. Scientific Research in Microgravity
The station will allow Indian scientists to perform experiments in:
Biology and biotechnology
Material scienceSpace medicine
Astrophysics
3. Technological Self-Reliance
By developing and operating its own space station, India reduces dependence on foreign platforms like the ISS.
4. Strategic and Geopolitical Value
A national space station enhances India’s position as a major space power alongside the USA, Russia, and China.
BAS vs International Space Station (ISS)
| Feature | ISS | BAS |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Multinational | India |
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Crew Duration | Continuous | Long-duration |
| Purpose | Research & cooperation | Research, innovation & national missions |
Unlike the ISS, which is nearing the end of its operational life, BAS is designed as a next-generation platform aligned with India’s future space vision.
Role of Gaganyaan in BAS Mission
The Gaganyaan mission is the foundation of BAS. Technologies being developed for Gaganyaan—such as:
Human-rated launch vehicles
Life support systemsCrew safety mechanisms
Space docking technology
—will directly contribute to the construction and operation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
India’s Expanding Space Vision
The BAS project complements India’s broader space roadmap, which includes:
Chandrayaan missions (Moon exploration)
Gaganyaan (Human spaceflight)Aditya-L1 (Solar mission)
Venus and Mars missions
Future deep space exploration
Together, these initiatives reflect India’s shift from cost-effective missions to sustained human presence in space.
Conclusion
The initiation of groundwork for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is a defining moment in India’s space journey. It signals a transition from exploratory missions to permanent human habitation in space, powered by indigenous technology and scientific ambition.
As ISRO steadily advances toward this goal, BAS is set to become a symbol of India’s technological confidence, scientific excellence, and strategic foresight in the global space arena.