India Plans Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035

India has approved the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), a proposed Indian space station planned for completion by 2035. The station is designed as a low-Earth orbit platform and is linked to India’s human spaceflight programme under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Bharatiya Antariksha Station: Basic Features

The Bharatiya Antariksha Station is planned as a 52-tonne space station in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 to 450 kilometres. The station is designed to support a crew of three to four astronauts for stays of three to six months. The proposed station will consist of five modules.

BAS-01 and Design Development

The first module of the station is known as BAS-01. The Baseline Design Review and System Engineering for BAS-01 were completed, and 31 baseline design documents were released. The Union Cabinet approved the development of BAS-01 by extending the scope of the Gaganyaan Programme. The estimated cost of developing and launching BAS-01 is ₹1,763 crore. The expenditure is planned over four years from 2025 to 2028. ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre issued an Expression of Interest to Indian industries for fabrication and realisation of the module’s physical structure.

Gaganyaan Programme and Related Missions

The Bharatiya Antariksha Station is part of India’s broader human spaceflight roadmap. ISRO has planned eight missions, including launch vehicles and satellites, and the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is scheduled within the current year. Gaganyaan is India’s human spaceflight programme for sending astronauts into space.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Bharatiya Antariksha Station is planned as India’s first space station.
• The station is designed for low-Earth orbit at 400 to 450 kilometres altitude.
• The proposed BAS will have five modules and a total mass of 52 tonnes.
• The Gaganyaan Programme is India’s human spaceflight programme under ISRO.

Institutional and Parliamentary References

The Lok Sabha received information on the BAS-01 module through written replies in 2025 and 2026. The National Level Review Committee finalised and approved the overall structural configuration of the BAS on 3 December 2025. The project is associated with ISRO, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, and the Union government’s space policy framework.