In a crucial step forward for India's space goals, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) by broadening the scope of the Gaganyaan programme. This decision is a critical step towards creating the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, which aims to be India's own space station by 2035, and also paves the way for a crewed lunar mission in 2040. The approval highlights India's commitment to establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station as a major milestone in its space exploration journey.

The updated Gaganyaan programme now includes eight missions that must be completed by December 2028, including the launch of the BAS-1 unit. This expansion includes new uncrewed missions and hardware requirements to support current human spaceflight endeavours.

Budget Allocation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station

The entire budget for the Gaganyaan initiative has been increased to Rs 20,193 crore, with an extra allocation of Rs 11,170 crore to cover its wider scope. This initiative demonstrates India's determination to become a significant force in space exploration and technology. ISRO will lead this national initiative, working with industry, academia, and other government institutions.

The program's goal is to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions, beginning with four missions under the ongoing Gaganyaan program in 2026, followed by the development of the BAS-1 module and four additional missions for technology demonstration and validation in 2028. The Cabinet also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission to the Moon and the Venus Orbiter, which would travel to Earth's intriguing twin.

During a media briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, "Chandrayaan-4 mission has been expanded to add more elements. The next step is to get the manned mission to the Moon. All preparatory steps towards this have been approved. Venus Orbiter Mission, Gaganyaan follow-on and Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Next Generation Launch Vehicle development also given approval."

Bharatiya Antariksh Station
Image Source: India Strategic

The Venus Orbiter project is the country's first interplanetary project to reach Venus' orbit in order to conduct scientific research and gain a better understanding of the planet's atmosphere and geology. The expedition would generate a tremendous amount of scientific data by investigating Venus' dense atmosphere. The Venus Orbiter Mission is scheduled for March 2028, with a total expenditure of Rs 1,236 crore.

Scientific and Technological Impact

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is expected to accelerate microgravity-based scientific research and technological development, supporting innovation in critical areas. This effort is also expected to expand job possibilities in high-technology sectors relating to space and other industries.
Beyond its technological and scientific goals, the extended initiative seeks to inspire India's youngsters to pursue professions in science and technology by providing unique chances for microgravity research and development.

The resulting inventions and technological spin-offs are projected to benefit society as a whole, establishing India as a global leader in space exploration and research.

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