India has taken a historic step toward establishing its own presence in orbit with the unveiling of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), a proposed space station that will place the country among the select few operating orbital laboratories. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) displayed the model of BAS at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the National Space Day celebrations which was held to commemorate the second anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s successful Moon landing.
Speaking at the event, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan recalled August 23, 2023, as a day etched in history when India became the first nation to achieve a soft landing on the lunar south pole. He also highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the landing site “Shiv Shakti Point” and declared August 23 as National Space Day, a moment that continues to mark India’s rise as a global space power.
The roadmap for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station begins with the launch of its first module named BAS-01 by 2028. Weighing around ten tonnes, this module will orbit Earth at an altitude of nearly 450 kilometres and act as the foundation of the larger station. Over the following years, ISRO plans to expand it into a five-module orbital facility by 2035 creating a permanent platform for science, technology and human exploration.
The BAS-01 module will incorporate several indigenous technologies including the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to ensure a livable environment inside, the Bharat Docking System and the Bharat Berthing Mechanism to facilitate safe spacecraft connections and an automated hatch system for smooth entry and exit. These features will establish BAS as an example of India’s self-reliance in critical space technologies.
Once operational, the station will serve as a hub for microgravity research, technology demonstrations and Earth observation. Its design includes crew viewports for both scientific imaging and recreation, specialized airlocks and space suits to enable extravehicular activities (spacewalks) as well as facilities to refuel propellant, replenish oxygen and other life support fluids. Advanced shielding systems will protect astronauts from cosmic radiation, space debris and a modular “plug-and-play” set of avionics will support flexible long-duration missions.
Beyond its scientific and technological role, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is also being envisioned as a key driver of India’s space economy. ISRO has said the station will open opportunities for space tourism, encourage international collaborations and inspire future generations of Indians to pursue careers in space research and engineering.
The unveiling of BAS reflects not more than just a technological milestone but a statement of ambition. For India, which has already demonstrated its prowess through missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan preparations, the establishment of a space station marks the next frontier. If completed as scheduled, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will become not just a laboratory in orbit but also a powerful symbol of India’s ability to dream big and achieve its vision of a permanent home in space.
