A basic model of the space station is expected to be put in orbit by 2028
India is set to make a giant leap in its space exploration efforts as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) gears up for the first set of trials for its ambitious Indian Space Station project, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, next year. This groundbreaking initiative marks a major benchmark in India’s journey to becoming a key player in the global space community.

Speaking during the India International Science Festival in Faridabad on Thursday, ISRO Chief S. Somanath revealed that the preliminary version of the space station is expected to be operational by 2028, with the final structure set to be in place by 2035. This aligns with the ambitious targets set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, which included not only the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station but also the goal of sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is poised to be a multi-module space station, comprising a crew command module, habitat module, propulsion module, and docking ports. Initially estimated to weigh around 25 tonnes, the station's mass will likely increase as it expands. ISRO scientists have highlighted that this station will not only facilitate micro-gravity studies and space biology and medicine research but also act as a gateway for India’s interplanetary missions.

The Indian Space Station project reflects India's growing prominence in space exploration. Following the successes of missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, the Indian government is keen to set new, ambitious goals for ISRO. As part of these efforts, the department of space has been directed to develop a roadmap for future Moon exploration missions, including subsequent Chandrayaan missions and the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

ISRO's initiative comes as the International Space Station, a collaborative project involving the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe, and Canada, continues to operate in orbit. Launched between 1984 and 1993, the ISS represents a significant international effort in space research and exploration.

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station, while being a national project, is also expected to become an international platform for collaborative space research. A dedicated committee is already overseeing the progress of the space station designs, signaling a major step forward for the Indian space program.

As India prepares for these historic tests next year, the global community watches with keen interest. The successful development and launch of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is prepped to mark a new chapter in India's space journey by enhancing international collaboration in space exploration and research.