Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday unveiled a model of the highly anticipated Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during the two-day National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi. India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.
First Pictures Of ISRO’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station Module Unveiled
Why In News
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday unveiled a model of the highly anticipated Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during the two-day National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi. India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.
National Space Day
- The second National Space Day is being celebrated across the country today. The day commemorates the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission’s Vikram Lander and the deployment of the Pragyan Rover on the Moon on 23rd of August 2023.
- On this day in 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 mission accomplished the safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface.
- With this, India became the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to land near the southern polar region of the moon.
- The soft landing was followed by a successful deployment of the Pragyaan Rover. The landing site was named Shiv Shakti Point. To honour this achievement, the Government of India officially declared August 23rd as “National Space Day.”
- The theme for this year’s celebration is Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”. As part of the celebrations, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hosted the National Space Meet 2.0 in New Delhi yesterday. The meet brought together several Ministries, Private Stakeholders, Academia, Startups, and Experts to shape the next decade of India’s space applications roadmap.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station
- Currently, only the International Space Station (ISS), operated by five space agencies, and China’s Tiangong space station operate as orbital laboratories.
- India plans to launch the first BAS module, BAS-01, by 2028, with plans to expand to five in place by 2035 as part of its ambitious plans for the space sector.
- The newly unveiled BAS-01 module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and would be placed in a low orbit at 450 km above the Earth, news agency PTI reported.
- The BAS-01 module has various salient features, including, indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, platform for microgravity research and technology demonstration, viewports for scientific imaging and crew recreation.
- The BAS will also have provision for refilling of propulsion and ECLSS fluids, radiation, thermal and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection, space suits, airlocks to support extra vehicular activity and plug and play integrated avionics.
- The BAS is expected to serve as a research platform for studying various aspects of space, life sciences, medicine, and interplanetary exploration. It will provide an opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on human health and test essential technologies needed for long-term human presence in space.
- The space station will support space tourism, with India entering the commercial space sector by leveraging the orbital lab’s resources.
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- The massive 3.8-meter by 8-meter BAS-01 module model was the highlight among those attending the National Space Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Conclusion
- Significantly, the BAS is set to support India’s entry into the commercial space sector, enabling space tourism and international collaborations, while also inspiring future generations to pursue careers in space technology and research.
- The massive 3.8-meter by 8-meter BAS-01 module model was the highlight of the National Space Day at Bharat Mandapam, drawing the attention and admiration of scientists, policymakers, students, and space enthusiasts alike—a glimpse of India’s visionary ambitions for space exploration.
