India is working on plans to build its own space station by 2035, with construction likely starting in 2028, V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has said. At an event in Coimbatore, Narayanan emphasized the size and scope of the project while also noting India’s growing international partnerships in space exploration.
The planned station, often called the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, would have a modular design and be able to support scientific research in low Earth orbit (LEO). According to mission planning documents and sources in the space industry, the first module could launch in 2028, with additional modules added over the following years to complete the station by the mid-2030s. If this happens, India would join a small group of countries with independent orbital research platforms.
Narayanan also highlighted India’s increasing global space cooperation, mentioning that ISRO is working with around 60 friendly countries on various ambitious space goals, such as human missions and lunar exploration. He described this cooperation as a strategic advantage that strengthens scientific connections while bringing in expertise and resources from partner nations.
This announcement comes after a series of recent ISRO successes and plans. India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole, significantly improving its launch capabilities and payload handling. These achievements are part of a wider roadmap that includes the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, lunar missions, and further robotic exploration.
Building a domestic space station marks a significant advancement for India’s space sector, with uses ranging from microgravity research and space biology to international scientific cooperation and testing technologies necessary for deep-space missions.
ISRO’s strategy reveals a long-term vision of transitioning from satellite launches and robotic probes to establishing a sustained human spaceflight infrastructure, marking a new era in the country’s space ambitions. Further details on mission plans, funding, and international agreements are expected as the project moves through its design and implementation stages.
