ISRO shared the first glimpse of its upcoming home-built space station on Friday amidst National Space Day celebrations in Delhi. The ambitious plan would see India become only of the only nations to operate multiple orbital laboratories by 2028. The first module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station is expected to launch that year — with four additional labs following it into outer space.
What is Bharatiya Antariksh Station?
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be a modular space station — similar to the International Space Station operated by five space agencies — designed to support scientific research and human spaceflight. It is intended to orbit the earth at an altitude of approximately 400 to 450 kilometers and weigh around 10 tonnes. The station is also expected to open the doors for space tourism — with India planning to tap into the commercial sector through the resources of it orbital labs.
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is an indigenous project by the Indian Space Research Organisation — with key electronics and components produced by local companies. The modules are also compatible with international docking standards and advances to simplify the research process. It is expected to serve as a research platform for studying various aspects of space, life sciences, medicine, and interplanetary exploration. The BAS will also provide experts a chance to study the effects of microgravity on human health and test essential technologies needed for long-term human presence in space.
Key features include the indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System, the Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, platform for microgravity research and technology demonstration, viewports for scientific imaging and crew recreation. BAS will also have provision for refilling of propulsion and ECLSS fluids, radiation, thermal and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris protection, space suits, airlocks to support extra vehicular activity and plug and play integrated avionics.
Pioneering moment
Only three countries have ever launched and operated their own space stations till date — Russia, the United States and China. It is however pertinent to note that the US-led ISS is a multinational collaborative project and involves partnership with Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Meanwhile the Soviet-era Russian Space stations (Salyut and Mir) no longer exist in orbit.
China is the only country to operate its own space station (called Tiangong) at present. The launch of Bharatiya Antariksh Station from 2028 will make India the fourth national to operate its own space station.
(With inputs from agencies)