2019 · GS Paper 3 · Q6 · 10 marks
What is India's plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?
In short
India plans to build its own space station, now the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, on Gaganyaan's foundation, with the first module targeted for 2028 and the full station by 2035. It would give India long-duration microgravity research, strategic autonomy as the ISS retires, and a stepping stone to the Moon.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 282 words
Concept and Foundation
The 2019 plan envisaged a station of about 20 tonnes near 400 km altitude for 15 to 20 day stays, built on Gaganyaan's human-rated launcher, crew module and life support; the Cabinet approved the first BAS module in September 2024.
Enabling Steps
SpaDeX made India the fourth country with in-space docking in January 2025 (ICWA, 2025), and Shubhanshu Shukla's 18-day ISS stay under Axiom-4 in 2025 gave ISRO station experience (PIB, 2025).
Microgravity Research
Long-duration experiments in biology, medicine, materials and fluid physics can be run on Indian terms rather than waiting for slots on foreign platforms.
Path to the Moon
Studying human endurance, life support and docking in orbit prepares for the national goal of an Indian on the Moon by 2040.
Strategic Autonomy
With the ISS retiring around 2030 and China's Tiangong completed in 2022, India keeps its own foothold in orbit.
Industry and Revenue
Module and life-support supply chains open space for start-ups authorised by IN-SPACe (2020), and hosting foreign experiments earns revenue.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.