ISRO’s Indigenous Space Station Plan Ready, First Launch Scheduled for 2028

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has accelerated work on developing a permanent Indian space station in low Earth orbit. The agency has invited applications from Indian aerospace companies to manufacture the core modules of the station, with the first module planned for launch in 2028.

Permanent Indian Presence in Space
After achieving several milestones in India’s space journey, ISRO has now embarked on an ambitious mission to establish a permanent Indian space station (Bharatiya Antariksh Station – BAS). Until now, India’s presence in space has been temporary. The new space station will provide a long-term platform for Indian scientists and astronauts to conduct diverse experiments and research in space.

First Module Launch in 2028
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has formally reached out to Indian aerospace manufacturers to develop the initial core structure of the station. This initiative, reported by News18, is a major step toward establishing a long-term indigenous laboratory in space. According to the plan, the first module of the Indian space station is expected to be launched in 2028.

Following Gaganyaan: A Step Forward
The space station project is slated to commence immediately after India’s manned spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. ISRO aims to provide a platform for long-duration scientific experiments and to develop technologies critical for future space missions.

Fully Operational Station by 2035
Under the current plan, after the first module is launched in 2028, additional modules will be sent to space and assembled in orbit, with the station expected to be fully operational by 2035. The first module, BAS-01, is considered the backbone of the entire mission, and Indian aerospace companies have been invited to produce two sets of this module.

Indigenous Design and Technology
Each module will have a diameter of 3.8 meters and a height of approximately 8 meters, made of AA-2219 aluminum alloy, a material already used in India’s manned space missions. The modules will be human-rated, ensuring the highest safety standards. ISRO has clarified that the project will be entirely domestic, with no foreign participation at any stage.

India Joins Elite Spacefaring Nations
Once the first module is launched in 2028, India will join a select group of countries capable of building, launching, and maintaining a long-term space station. These include the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, China, and the European Space Agency.