- Why in news
- On 25 March 2026, the government told the Lok Sabha that ISRO has finalised a five-module design for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, with the first module targeted by 2028.
- What it is
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India's planned space station in low Earth orbit, being built by ISRO. It extends the Gaganyaan programme from crewed flights to a long-term orbital outpost for microgravity research and technology tests.
- Configuration
- The station has five modules; the design was reviewed by the National Level Review Committee.
- Cabinet approval
- In September 2024 the Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, by 2028, as a revision in scope of Gaganyaan.
- Cost
- The approval covers only the first module, estimated at ₹1763 crore for 2025 to 2028.
- Timeline
- Fully operational station with all five modules is targeted by 2035.
- Technology goals
- Goals include rendezvous and docking, robotics, in-orbit refuelling, crew quarters, intra-vehicular suit and microgravity racks.
- Industry role
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has invited Indian industry through an Expression of Interest to build the structure of the first module.
- First module
- The Union Cabinet approved development and launch of BAS-01 by 2028 in September 2024.
- Collaboration
- There are currently no specific technical collaboration agreements with other space agencies for BAS.
- Purpose
- Advanced life support systems will enable long-duration human habitation in Low Earth Orbit.
Don’t confuse with BAS vs ISS: BAS is India's planned station of five modules; the International Space Station is a multinational station already in orbit.
Don’t confuse with BAS-01 vs Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan is the crewed flight programme; BAS-01 is the first station module, added through its revised scope.
Don’t confuse with BAS vs International Space Station: BAS is India's planned national station with five modules; the ISS is a multinational station run by NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA and CSA.
Don’t confuse with BAS vs Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan is the crewed flight programme to LEO; BAS is the long-term orbital station whose first module is funded within Gaganyaan's revised scope.
Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Gives India a long-term crewed presence in space and a platform for microgravity research.
- Builds technologies such as docking, robotics and refuelling, and involves Indian industry.
- Gives India a lasting platform for microgravity research in life sciences and medicine.
- Builds life support and habitation technology needed for human missions beyond LEO.
Problems
- Complex technologies such as docking and life support must be mastered within a tight timeline.
- Costs will rise as approval is so far only for the first module.
- Developing life support, docking and safe crew return needs complex, costly technology.
- With no formal foreign partners now, India must rely on its own capacity and launch schedule.
Way forward
- Seek further approvals for later modules and keep the 2028 and 2035 milestones on track.
- Widen industry participation and international cooperation.
- Meet Gaganyaan precursor milestones so BAS-01 can launch by 2028.
- Involve industry and academia, and explore partnerships when useful.
Put in your answer
BAS-01 cost: ₹1763 crore estimated for the first module, 2025 to 2028.
Targets: First module by 2028 and the full five-module station by 2035.
BAS-01 target: Cabinet approved BAS-01 by 2028 in September 2024, under Gaganyaan's revised scope.
Gaganyaan outlay: Gaganyaan's outlay now stands at ₹20,193 crore after the September 2024 approval.
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q6India's plan for its own space station and programme benefits.
- 2017Mains GS3 · Q7Technological and logistical obstacles to India's manned space mission.
- 2007Prelims Q129Which pair is incorrect, e.g. Atlantis as space station?
- 1998Prelims Q5Cause of damage to Russian space station Mir's Spektr module.
- 2025Prelims Q83Statements on Axiom-4, SpaDeX and Gaganyaan missions; how many correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): 1. The station is planned to have five modules. 2. The Union Cabinet has approved the development of all five modules. 3. The first module, BAS-01, was approved as part of a revision in scope of the Gaganyaan Programme. 4. A fully operational station with all modules is targeted for 2028.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 12
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to have five modules.
True. ISRO's configuration has five modules.
2.The Union Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, as part of a revision in scope of the Gaganyaan Programme.
True. Approval in September 2024 came as a Gaganyaan scope revision.
3.The current Cabinet approval covers the development of all five modules of the station.
False. The approval is limited to the first module only.
4.A fully operational station with all modules is targeted for 2028.
False. 2028 is for the first module; the full station is targeted for 2035.
5.Rendezvous and docking and in-orbit refuelling are among the technology goals targeted for the station.
True. Both are listed goals.
6.The estimated cost of the first module is ₹1763 crore for the period 2025 to 2028.
True. ₹1763 crore over four years.
7.Microgravity research on the station is aimed only at astronomy and deep-space observation.
False. Targeted areas are life sciences, pharmaceuticals, material sciences and manufacturing technologies.
8.The Union Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, for launch by 2028.
True. Approval was given in September 2024, targeting 2028.
9.BAS is currently being developed under a formal technical collaboration agreement with a foreign space agency.
False. There are currently no specific technical collaboration agreements for BAS.
10.BAS is planned as part of ISRO's Space Vision 2047.
True. ISRO aims to establish BAS as part of Space Vision 2047.
11.Microgravity is the condition in which objects appear nearly weightless because they are in continuous free fall around Earth.
True. Orbiting stations are in free fall, giving apparent weightlessness, which is why they suit microgravity research.
12.The Low Earth Orbit in which BAS is planned lies in the geostationary band about 36,000 km above Earth.
False. LEO lies up to about 2,000 km; the geostationary orbit is about 36,000 km.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.