Bharatiya Antariksh Station

• Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India’s planned space station for scientific research which will orbit around 400 – 450km above the Earth’s surface
  • It will have five modules and will be built in phases. 
• Targets: The first module (the Base Module) will be launch in 2028 and BAS will be operationalized by 2035. 
• Current Status: BAS is currently in conceptualization phase, under which overall architecture, number and types of modules, docking ports etc. are being studied.

Significance of BAS

•  Spaceflight and human habitation: BAS will serve as a testing ground to study how to keep astronauts safe and healthy on long-duration missions. It will also support India’s other long-term space goals
• Earth observation: Space Station can provide better spatial resolution and variable lighting conditions. It can assist in dealing with natural disasters.
• Microgravity research: For example, muscles and bones react differently in space than on Earth. Thus, on BAS controlled experiments can be fast-tracked to study health conditions such as muscle atrophy and bone density loss.
• Fostering innovations: Small entrepreneurs can test their technology in space. This can generate increased employment opportunities in high-technology sectors related to space and allied industries.
  • Current size of the global Space economy is $ 546 billion and India’s share is only 2%. (2023 report by NASSCOM and Indian Space Association)
    • India has a vision of increasing its share to 10%. 
• Technological spin-offs: Spin-off products are spacebased innovations and technologies that find application in other sectors like use of: 
  • Space-derived data processing algorithm for environmental monitoring or 
  • Advanced materials developed for, automotive, construction and spacecraft for aerospace.
• International Prestige: By building a space station, India joins a select group of countries, elevating its global standing and potentially fostering international collaborations.

Challenges regarding Indian space station: 

• Project Development Related Challenges: 
  • Low R&D budget: India’s expenditure on research and development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP is relatively low, standing at just 0.7%.
    • Financial constraints could limit the pace and scope of the project and the experiments it can host. 
  • Developing new technology: India has proved its capabilities in satellite development. But a space station requires a separate set of skills and systems.
    • It involves life support, radiation protection, structural integrity and orbital maintenance.
  • Managing geopolitical issues: A space station is not only a scientific endeavour, but also a strategic asset.
    • The country will have to deal with potential competition from, and build cooperation with, other space-faring nations, such as the US, Russia, China and the European Union.
• Space Related Challenges:
  • Hazards to astronaut health: The space environment can be lethal without the correct protection equipment and precautions. The greatest threats are
    • a lack of oxygen and pressure in closed environments; 
    • expansion of the cerebral ventricles (spaces in the middle of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid which protects the brain by providing it a cushion in case of a sudden force or a jolt); 
    • altered gravity fields; 
    • radiation and the psychological effects of isolation and confinement.
  • Space debris: Increase in space debris pose significant challenges in space operations and require technological sophistication to avoid collisions.

Way Ahead 

• Securing adequate funding: India will have to seek international collaborations and private-sector involvement to ensure sufficient funding.
• Capacity development: Upgradation needed in ISRO’s technological infrastructure for components like life support, radiation protection, structural integrity and orbital maintenance, etc.
• Long-Term Sustainability: India must develop a clear plan for regular maintenance, resupply missions, and upgrades to ensure its space station remains operational.
• Managing geopolitical issues: India will have to balance its national interests and international obligations while pursuing its space station project.
  • India will also have to adhere to the existing norms and regulations of space law and governance.
• International Cooperation: Collaboration with nations possessing space station (US, Russia) experience can provide valuable insights and reduce costs.