In a landmark announcement that signals India’s growing ambitions in space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled plans to establish the country’s first indigenous space station—named the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)—by the year 2035. The declaration, made on National Space Day by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey from satellite launches to deep space infrastructure.
A Vision Rooted in Innovation
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be a fully operational orbital facility designed to support long-duration human missions, scientific research, and international collaboration. According to Narayanan, the first module of the station is slated for launch in 2028, setting the stage for incremental expansion over the following years. “This is not just a technological leap—it’s a statement of intent,” Narayanan said during his address in New Delhi. “By 2040, India’s space program will stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s most advanced agencies.”
The announcement comes amid a flurry of achievements for ISRO, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing near the Moon’s south pole and the Aditya-L1 solar mission. These milestones have bolstered India’s reputation as a rising space power and laid the groundwork for more ambitious ventures.
Road to Human Spaceflight
India’s human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, is central to the space station vision. Earlier this year, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission. His journey, endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was seen as a strategic precursor to India’s own crewed missions
“Before sending a Gaganyatri through our own rocket, it was the Prime Minister’s vision to first send one to the ISS,” Narayanan noted. “This success has energized our astronaut training and mission planning.”
India has shortlisted four astronauts for future missions, and officials estimate that the country will require 40–50 trained astronauts over the next two decades to support its expanding space agenda.
Technological Backbone
To support the deployment of the BAS, ISRO is developing a Next Generation Launcher (NGL)—a powerful rocket system capable of ferrying heavy payloads and crew modules into orbit. The NGL will complement India’s existing fleet, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the GSLV Mk III, which have already launched hundreds of satellites for domestic and international clients.
The space station will also benefit from advancements in semi-cryogenic engines, electric propulsion, and reusable launch vehicles, all of which are under active development. These technologies aim to reduce costs, increase reliability, and make India’s space missions more sustainable.
Strategic and Economic Implications
The BAS is expected to serve as a hub for scientific research, Earth observation, and space medicine. It will also open doors for international partnerships, allowing India to host astronauts and experiments from other nations. This aligns with India’s broader goal of becoming a global space services provider. The government has significantly increased ISRO’s budget and approved ₹20,193 crore for the Gaganyaan project alone.
Prime Minister Modi, in his National Space Day address, emphasized that India’s achievements have given it a unique standing in global space exploration. He invited young Indians to join the country’s astronaut pool and contribute to its aspirations. “Every rocket is a dream, every discovery a step beyond limits,” Modi said. “The sky is not the end—it is the beginning.”
With the BAS on the horizon, India is poised to enter a new era of space exploration—one defined not just by technological prowess, but by vision, resilience, and global leadership.