Cabinet approves Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Gaganyaan gets new timeline

This decision marks a crucial step towards establishing India's own space station by 2035 and paves the way for a crewed lunar mission by 2040.

In Short

• The revised Gaganyaan programme now encompasses eight missions
• They are to be completed by December 2028, including the launch of the BAS-1 unit
• This expansion involves additional uncrewed missions

In a significant leap for India's space ambitions, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) by expanding the scope of the Gaganyaan programme.

This decision marks a crucial step towards establishing India's own space station by 2035 and paves the way for a crewed lunar mission by 2040.

The revised Gaganyaan programme now encompasses eight missions to be completed by December 2028, including the launch of the BAS-1 unit. This expansion involves additional uncrewed missions and hardware requirements to support the ongoing human spaceflight initiatives.

The total funding for the Gaganyaan programme has been increased to Rs 20,193 crore, with an additional allocation of Rs 11,170 crore to accommodate the expanded scope. This investment underscores India's commitment to becoming a major player in space exploration and technology.

Isro will spearhead this national effort, collaborating with industry, academia, and other national agencies.

The programme aims to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions, with four missions under the ongoing Gaganyaan programme scheduled by 2026, followed by the development of the BAS-1 module and four additional missions for technology demonstration and validation by 2028.

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is expected to boost microgravity-based scientific research and technology development, fostering innovations in key areas. This initiative is also anticipated to generate increased employment opportunities in high-technology sectors related to space and allied industries.

Beyond its technological and scientific objectives, the expanded programme aims to inspire India's youth to pursue careers in science and technology, offering unique opportunities in microgravity research and development.

The resulting innovations and technological spin-offs are expected to benefit society at large, positioning India as a leading nation in space exploration and research.

The Cabinet also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission to Moon and the Venus Orbiter Moon to Earth's mysterious twin.