Bhartiya Antariksh Station (BAS)

Bhartiya Antariksh Station (BAS)

Indian Space Station: ISRO to launch Bhartiya Antariksha station by 2028

After the inauguration of this space station, India will join the ranks of countries with their space stations, placing it as the fourth nation globally to achieve this feat, following Russia, the United States of America, and China.

Back in 1971, Russia made history by launching the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. Fast forward to today, both the USA and Russia are collaborating as part of the International Space Station. Meanwhile, China entered the space station club by launching its Tiangong-1, in 2011.

Conceptual design of Bharatiya Antariksha Station 

Facts of International Space Station

The International Space Station measures 109 meters from end to end and boasts a volume equivalent to two Boeing 747 jets, making it almost as spacious as a full-length American football field. Within its confines, approximately 13 kilometers of wiring intricately connect the entire electric circuit system, facilitating the station’s operations. Notably, about one-third of the station is allocated for storage and equipment, while the remaining space is crafted for human habitation for a crew of six and some visitors.

NGLV - Next Generation Launch Vehicle

Currently, ISRO doesn’t have a powerful rocket. The most robust rocket in its fleet is the LVM 3 rocket, which can only carry a payload of 10 tonnes. Due to this limitation, ISRO has opted for an 8-tonne payload for the first module.

ISRO is working on a new rocket called the “Next Generation Launch Vehicle” (NGLV). This rocket will be responsible for launching additional modules of the Indian Space Station, and these upcoming modules are expected to be larger, weighing approximately 20 to 25 tonnes. These larger modules cannot be launched using the existing rocket.

SPADEX -Space Docking Experiment 

In 2024, ISRO plans to launch the SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment ) mission to lay down the foundation of the Indian Space Station. Docking is like joining two spacecraft together in space. They can do this to move people or cargo from one spacecraft to another when two independent spacecraft join together to create a larger, unified structure. A great example of docking is when a cargo spaceship links up with the International Space Station (ISS). ISRO is developing this technology indigenously

Application of Indian Space Station

(1) Study of microgravity

(2) Space biology and space medicine research

(3) Gateway to Deep Space Exploration

(4) Refueling Station for Lunar, Martian, and Venusian Exploration

Compiled by 

Ms Naresh kuwar