Isro has begun designing subsystems for Bharatiya Antariksh Station: Govt

The Centre told Parliament that Isro has begun designing critical subsystems for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The move advances India's plan for a five-module space station and builds on Gaganyaan technologies.A model of the future Bharatiya Antariksh Station. (Photo: Isro)The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has officially begun designing critical subsystems for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's first indigenous space station, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday.The development marks a major step towards India's ambitious plan to establish a modular space station in low-Earth orbit by 2035.In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Baseline Design Review and System Engineering for the first module, BAS-01, have been completed.A total of 31 baseline design documents have been released, while an expert committee has completed its review, paving the way for subsystem design activities. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned as a five-module orbital laboratory, with the first module targeted for launch by 2028. The mission received Cabinet approval in October 2024 as part of the expanded scope of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. According to the government, technologies being developed under Gaganyaan will serve as the foundation for the future space station. Significant progress has already been made on the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), Orbital Module, Crew Escape System, ground infrastructure, flight operations, communication networks and crew recovery systems.Isro has also completed three key precursor missions, including the Test Vehicle Demonstration-1 (TV-D1) and the Integrated Air Drop Tests (IADT-01 and IADT-02). Preparations are now in advanced stages for G1, the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.The government also revealed that docking technologies, including electrical and mechanical interfaces required for spacecraft docking, have been worked out.A concept demonstration model of an in-space refuelling mechanism has also been successfully tested, signalling progress towards technologies essential for long-duration human space missions.Several critical technologies, including the flight suit, crew seat, spacecraft viewport and advanced docking systems, are currently sourced from external vendors for the Gaganyaan programme.However, the Centre has approved their indigenous development, and the design and development of prototype hardware is already underway.The government said these efforts will establish the technological foundation for the remaining four modules of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station while strengthening India's self-reliance in critical human spaceflight technologies and fostering high-technology manufacturing needed for future crewed missions.- EndsPublished By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 15:30 IST