What is Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India's Mission in Space

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1). The mission will be a part of Gaganyaan programme developed and managed by ISRO. This can be seen as a significant step forward for India's ambitions in space exploration.

This decision will enable India to launch its own space station by 2035 and prepare for a manned moon mission by 2040.

Union Cabinet’s Space Announcements

Marking a significant step forward for India's space exploration, the Union Cabinet has approved four major space missions. These include the Bhartiya Antariksh Station (BAS), Chandrayaan-4, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). 

The Modi government has almost doubled the budget for Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight mission.

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What is Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)?

With the approval of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's space missions will take a big step forward. This space station is set to become the country's first space station that is to be launched by the year 2035. The first module of the station is planned for launch by 2028.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made this announcement after the cabinet meeting on September 18 stating that, "The Cabinet has approved the development of BAS's first module and its related missions."

Gaganyaan Mission’s Budget Increased

The updated Gaganyaan program now includes eight missions set to be completed by December 2028. The mission also covers the launch of the first unit of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1). The expanded projects in the mission will support India in its quest for manned moon missions in the future.

The total budget for the Gaganyaan program has been raised to ₹20,193 crore, with an extra ₹11,170 crore allocated to cover the broader scope. This investment highlights India’s strong commitment to becoming a key player in space exploration and technology.

Which Countries have Space Stations?

Currently only two space stations are operational in the space. Once BAS becomes operational, it will be one of the few active space stations in the world, alongside the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong station.

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is expected to promote technological and scientific advancements in important fields. These projects will advance research and development centered around microgravity. It is also expected that this program will lead to more job openings in high-tech companies associated with space and related industries.

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