Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
Why in News?
Recent government replies in the Lok Sabha On March 25, 2026 confirmed that ISRO has finalized the overall five-module configuration for the BAS.
About
- The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India's upcoming indigenous space station, intended to serve as a permanent orbital laboratory for scientific research and a stepping stone for human missions to the Moon.
- Industrial Partnerships: In early 2026, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to domestic Indian industries for the fabrication and realization of the first module's structure.
- SPADEX Missions: ISRO announced plans for advanced docking experiments (SPADEX-2 and SPADEX-3) to test critical rendezvous and docking technologies required for the station.
- Cabinet Approval: In September 2024, the Union Cabinet officially expanded the Gaganyaan Programme to include the development and launch of the first BAS module (BAS-01).
Phased Development
- 2028: Target for launching the first module, BAS-01 (Base Module), weighing approximately 10 tonnes.
- 2035: Target for the station to be fully operational with all five modules.
Station Configuration
- The station will consist of five modules: Base, Core, Science, Lab, and Common Working modules.
- Total estimated mass once completed is approximately 52 tonnes.
Orbital Details
- It will orbit at an altitude of 400–450 km above Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- The orbital inclination is set at approximately 51.5°.
Human Capacity
- Designed to accommodate 3–4 astronauts for durations of 3 to 6 months.
- For short durations, it may support a maximum of 6 crew members.
Scientific Goals
- Serve as a hub for microgravity research in fields like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.
- Provide advanced Earth observation for disaster monitoring and climate studies.
Budgetary Support
- The total funding for the expanded Gaganyaan Programme, which now includes BAS-01, has been increased to ₹20,193 crore.
- The specific cost for the development and launch of the first module is estimated at ₹1,763 crore over four years (2025–2028).
International Standards
- ISRO is incorporating international standards for its subsystems to ensure interoperability with other global space agencies for potential joint missions.
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