India’s Space Station: Prospects and Efforts to Realize the Dream

India has been scaling new heights in space research for decades. After satellite launches, moon and Mars missions, the country is now eyeing the establishment of its own space station. A space station is a residential laboratory in Earth’s orbit where astronauts can stay for a long time and conduct scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. The dream of a space station would not only be a proof of India’s technological prowess, but also a new chapter of scientific research, international collaborations and national pride. In this article, we will discuss in detail the importance of the space station, India’s current space program, aganyaan mission, technological advancements, plans, challenges and possibilities. In addition, they will assess the vision and efforts associated with the Indian Space Station (“Indian Space Station 2035“) to be established by 2035.

What is a space station and its scientific significance?

A space station is a large artificial satellite that is placed in low Earth orbit and can be inhabited and operated by humans for a long time. So far, the International Space Station (ISS) and their respective stations of Russia, the United States, and China have been able to keep humans in space for long periods of time. In terms of scientific significance, the space station functions like a unique research laboratory. It provides a microgravity environment nearly free of Earth’s gravitational influence, enabling the study of many physical, chemical and biological processes in new ways. For example, the flow of fluids, the nature of fire, the effects of long-term weightlessness on the human body, and biological experiments are constantly taking place on the ISS that have yielded beneficial results on Earth.

Experiments in microgravity have provided important insights into drug development, tissue culture, crystal growing, and the study of new materials. Space stations also help scientists understand what changes occur to the human body when long-term space stays in space, such as decreased bone density, muscle relaxation, vision impaired and more, in order to prepare for future long-duration space missions such as those on the Moon and Mars. In short, a space station provides a platform for human long stays in space and at the same time provides a permanent class-based laboratory for many researches.

Apart from science, space stations are also a symbol of technological prowess and power for any nation. So far, only the US (Skylab, ISS partnership), Russia/Soviet Union (Salyut series, Mir), China (Tiangong) have built their own space stations. Having India’s own space station puts the country among select countries that have full capability for human space flight and orbital habitation. This step will definitely be a source of inspiration for the science community of the country as well as the general public and will promote STEM education.

Background of India’s Space Programme and Role of ISRO

India’s space programme has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Started in the 1960s under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, this program saw the establishment of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in 1969. At the initial stage, India started learning rocket launch with the help of other countries. In 1975, India’s first satellite Aryabhata was sent into space by a Soviet rocket, which laid the foundation of India’s space dream. In 1980, India achieved indigenous rocket launch capability by launching the Rohini satellite on an SLV-3 rocket.

Subsequently, ISRO developed launch systems such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV, through which hundreds of satellites – Indian and foreign – were successfully put into orbit. Notable missions by India include Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 (detecting presence of water on the moon), Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) in 2014 which created history by entering the orbit of Mars in its first attempt, and Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 (whose orbiter is still orbiting the moon). Recently, in 2023, Chandrayaan-3 made a successful soft-landing on the moon, making India the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat. These successes have cemented India as a space superpower.

ISRO’s role has been central to these successes. ISRO has not only been developing launch vehicles and satellites, but has also made outstanding achievements in diverse areas such as remote sensing, communication, navigation (such as NavIC), astronomical sciences (AstroSat) and interplanetary exploration. It is noteworthy that all this was done by India despite comparatively limited budget and resources, which made ISRO an efficient and economical space agency.

India also started taking steps in the direction of human space flight. In 1984, Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma went to the Salyut-7 space station by the Soviet Union’s spacecraft Soyuz and became the first Indian to go into space. Though that mission was in Soviet collaboration, India continued to dream of its own independent manned mission. Over the years, ISRO has worked on returnable space capsule technology by conducting experiments such as Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (2007) and Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (2014). These experiments successfully landed a small capsule back on Earth in orbit, which were important steps in the development of re-entry technology required for human missions.

In this backdrop, India’s next logical step is the human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan and then the establishment of its Indian space station. ISRO, as the country’s space agency, is playing a leading role in achieving these ambitious goals and is working with several national and international partners to find solutions to technological and organizational challenges.

Gaganyaan Mission and its Importance in the Direction of Space Station

The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first indigenous human spaceflight project, which was initially targeted to be completed by the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence (the year 2022). Although the timeline has changed, the importance of Gaganyaan has not diminished. This mission is a project to demonstrate human spaceflight capability for India. Under this, India will send three astronauts on a mission of about 3 days in low earth orbit (~400 km altitude) and then bring them back to the earth safely. If successful, India will become the fourth country after Russia, America and China to send a human to space with its own capability.

Under the Gaganyaan mission, an orbital module is being built, which includes the crew module (where the astronauts will stay) and the service module (including the engine, fuel, electrical etc. systems). An advanced thermal protection system has been developed to protect the crew module from excessive heat during re-entry. The Crew Escape System was designed to take the capsule away from the rocket during launch in emergency conditions, which was tested (Pad Abort Test) in July 2018. For Gaganyaan, ISRO has made necessary improvements to its reliable launcher GSLV Mk III (new name LVM3) to make it human-fit. This modified rocket is called Man-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3), which has the capacity to place 10-ton payloads into an orbit of 400 km. Additional safety measures have been added to the HLVM3, such as providing an emergency rescue system at every stage of the flight.

India has also worked on the selection and training of Gaganyaan astronauts (Vyomnauts). Four test pilots of the IAF were selected for the mission and completed initial training at the Gagarin Space Centre, Russia. They are now undergoing mission-specific training at their training facility in Bengaluru. The astronauts are being trained on all aspects of weightlessness, life support systems, mission simulations, rescue after landing at sea, etc.

The Gaganyaan mission is an indispensable step towards India’s space station project. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has said that “The Gaganyaan programme is focused on developing the capability to send humans to space, and once that is done, we will focus on building further space stations. He indicated that the space station project is a big plan spread over the time zone of the next 20-25 years. Through Gaganyaan, India will learn all the basic technologies that are required to build and operate a space station – such as life support systems, long orbit stay systems, docking (connecting vehicles to space) etc. In fact, ISRO has officially clarified that the goal after Gaganyaan is to set up its own space station.

Thus, the Gaganyaan mission is not just a single mission but the beginning of a larger human space programme. Once successful, India will have trained astronauts, manned-rated rockets, return space capsules, life support technologies and ground support infrastructure (mission control, recovery, etc.). These capabilities will form the foundation of the construction and continued operation of the Indian space station. Gaganyaan, therefore, is a milestone towards realizing India’s dream of a space station.

Technical Efforts and Plans made so far (Docking System, Life Support, GSLV Mk III etc.)

In order to achieve the goal of the Indian Space Station, ISRO is doing research and development in several important technical areas:

Rocket Launch System: As described above, GSLV Mk III (LVM3) is designed to be manned and will also be used to launch space station modules in the future. But ISRO is also considering a more capable Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to send larger parts of the space station in the 2030s. According to the current plan, the first module will be sent by LVM3 in 2028 and the remaining modules by NGLV by 2035.

Docking System: The ability to connect two vehicles in space (rendezvous and docking) is essential for the space station, as the station will have to be built by launching different modules and connecting the crew vehicle to the station regularly. ISRO has carried out the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) mission to develop indigenous docking technology. On 30th December 2024, ISRO performed their automatic docking by sending two small satellites (SDX-01 and SDX-02) of about 220-220 kg into space by PSLV-C60 rocket. The two satellites came close to each other adjusting the initial orbits and automatically performed secure docking. With this success, India joined the few countries in the world that showed indigenous technology docking in orbit. According to the report of Spaceflight Now, this mission used a mechanism similar to the International Docking System Standard (which is used on the ISS), so that in the future, this technology could be compatible with both the international station or the upcoming Indian station. The data from SpaDEx will be used by ISRO to mature its docking hardware to connect the orbital module or space station segments that come after Gaganyaan.

Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) – Life Support: An Earth-like environment has to be created to keep humans alive and healthy for a long time on the space station or inside the Gaganyaan capsule. This includes oxygen supply, carbon dioxide extraction, temperature-humidity control, water and food arrangements, and waste management. ISRO has decided to develop ECLSS. ISRO chief S. Somanath said that initially this system was tried from abroad, but no country was ready to share it, so now it is being developed indigenously. The basic life support system (which will create an environment for 3 astronauts for 3 days) for Gaganyaan is being prepared. The technology is difficult as ISRO earlier had the experience of working only on satellites and rockets and not on human life support systems. But with the help of indigenous industry and research institutions, ISRO is developing the necessary components (such as oxygen-generating subsystems, CO₂ scrubbers, temperature control, etc.). In the future, the ECLSS for the space station will have to be upgraded – such as recycling water and air, processing waste, etc. – so that astronauts can stay on the station for several weeks or months.

Crew Module and EVA Capability: The crew module of Gaganyaan has undergone tests such as atmospheric reentry, communication-blackout, guidance-control, etc. Although the initial Indian space station will be small, requiring less EVA spacewalk by astronauts for external repairs, India will have to develop spacesuits and EVA training for its astronauts as a long-term goal. Right now, spacesuit design cooperation has been taken from Russia for Gaganyaan, but work on indigenous spacesuits is also going on. There is also the idea of developing robotic arms for space stations and technologies for external maintenance (as Canada did for the ISS). All these technical efforts will be completed in a phased manner in the coming years.

Other Technical Preparations: ISRO has set up the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru which is the focal point for Gaganyaan and further human missions. It is working on human-rating, bioastronautics, human factors engineering, etc. In addition, modern simulators, centrifuges, neutral buoyancy facilities for astronaut training, and upgradation of mission control are underway. ISRO has indicated that developmental tests related to the space station may start from 2025.

It is clear from all these technological initiatives that India is preparing to overcome each and every obstacle that comes in the way of setting up a space station in a phased manner. The success of small experimental missions (such as SpaDEx) and the progress of Gaganyaan show that ISRO ‘s plan rests on a well-thought-out and solid foundation. These innovations have the potential to contribute to space technology globally, not just for Indian missions.

Announcement of Indian Space Station by 2035 and its outline

The Indian government has formally made public its intention to set up a space station. In 2019, the then ISRO Chairman, Dr. K. Sivan, while giving preliminary information about the proposed space station, had said that India is planning to launch a space station weighing around 20 tonnes by 2030. The station will be placed in an orbit of 400 km and will resemble a small residential module capable of holding astronauts for 15-20 days. The plan then was that the detailed work would begin as soon as the Gaganyaan mission was over and that it would be an entirely independent project of India, not partnering with any other country for that particular station.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and technical challenges, the timeline had to be reevaluated. In October 2024, India’s Minister of State for Science and Technology (Dr Jitendra Singh) announced that India’s own space station is now targeted to be set up by 2035 and its official name will be “Indian Space Station”. According to this announcement, ISRO is planning to launch the first module by 2028 and will make the entire station operational by 2035. The newly updated blueprint will have an estimated mass of about 52 tons and will orbit in an orbit of 400 km. Moving on from the earlier concept of 15-20 day stay, the station is now being designed in such a way that it can sustain continuous manned missions for 3 to 6 months. That is, it will be a modular station approaching the International Space Station or the Chinese Tiangong Station in capacity, although it may remain smaller than them in size.

Naming the station as “Indian Space Station” shows India’s seriousness and autonomy. The station is likely to be built by connecting two or more modules – initially a core module and later another module for laboratory/residence. ISRO chief S. Somanath has indicated that an initial model will be launched in test form in 2028, followed by a full-fledged station in 2035. Talks are on with industry to involve private players in manufacturing station modules and hardware is ready in a time-bound manner.

Below are some of the major timelines related to India’s human space mission and space station project, which show the progress made and future plans in this direction:

Year/Target	Major Event/Achievement
1975	Launch of the first Indian satellite Aryabhata (by Soviet rocket) – Beginning of India’s Space Age
1984	Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma embarks on Soviet Salyut-7 space station – the first ever space sojourn by an Indian
2007	Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) – Landing safely by re-entering the capsule from low orbit, demonstrating technology for human flight
2014	LVM3-X/CARE Mission – Suborbital Successful Return Test of Crew Module in First Test Flight of GSLV Mk III
2018	Formal announcement of Gaganyaan mission; ISRO approves ₹10,000 crore budget for crew escape system pad abort test
2019	ISRO plans 20-tonne space station by 2030 to be public; Launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission
2020	Astronauts selected for Gaganyaan send for training in Russia
2021	India-France Agreement, Launch of Space Medicine and Life Support Cooperation for Gaganyaan by CNES; India has begun work on the human space flight policy incorporating a roadmap for a manned mission to the moon and a space station
2022	preparation of necessary tests (IADT, Test Vehicle) before Gaganyaan; India has signed the US Artemis Agreement and decided to join the international lunar exploration cooperation.
2023	Gaganyaan Test Vehicle-D1(TV-D1) mission successfully concluded; In this mission, the crew module was tested for air drop at high speed and abort system
December 2024	First ever autonomous docking demonstration of two satellites in orbit under SpaDEx mission – India’s major technological achievement for the space station
2025-26 (Upcoming)	[Countdown begins: India’s Gaganyaan space mission enters final preparation phase”
2028 (Target)	Launch and put into orbit the first module of the Indian Space Station (Initial demonstration of essential technologies)
2030 Decades	Multiple module and support missions for space station expansion; Probably India’s first manned mission to the moon ~planned by 2040
2035 (Target)	Establishment and operationalisation of a fully operational “Indian Space Station”

It is clear from the above timeline that India has laid the foundation for realizing the dream of the space station in a phased manner. What is remarkable is that there is high-level support from the government – the Prime Minister himself mentioned this goal, and in recent statements the Minister of Science has reiterated the deadline. This means that the space station is no longer just a distant idea, but an official national project.

Possibilities of scientific experiments and research on the space station

Once India establishes its space station, it will open the door to limitless scientific possibilities. Some of the major research areas and experiments that will be possible on the Indian space station are:

Biotech and Medical Research in Microgravity: Recently, ISRO has signed an agreement with India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to promote biotechnological research in space. The space station will be able to study the effects of microgravity on cells, tissues and microorganisms, which will help in understanding the development of medicines, understanding diseases, vaccine manufacturing, and processes of the human body. For example, bacteria in space tend to mutate more quickly, allowing tests of a vaccine or antibiotic to be conducted. The study of Astronaut Osteoporosis will give a boost to research on the treatment of osteoporosis on Earth.

Physics and Materials Science Experiments: Fluids, combustion, and various materials in the space station can be studied without the effect of gravity. When a metal mixture is melted or crystals are grown, a different structure is formed due to the absence of gravity, which can help produce high-quality crystals (such as semiconductors or pharmaceutical crystals) on Earth. Semiconductor crystals developed in space are more pure because they do not stretch downward. In addition, combustion experiments (such as the study of the burning of different fuels) can help design a cleaner combustion engine.

Earth and Environmental Sciences: The space station will be a suitable platform for continuous observation of the Earth. Advanced sensors onboard the station can provide real-time data for the earth’s environment, weather, climate change, disaster management and more. Although there are separate satellites for Earth observation, some experiments with manned stations, such as recording environmental changes with special cameras or studying the Earth’s magnetic field, can be performed.

Astronomy and Space Science: A small telescope or astro-physical laboratory module can be installed at the station to study stars, galaxies, cosmic rays, etc. The space station will have the advantage that the instrument can be repaired or updated by humans periodically, as was done by the Shuttle mission with the Hubble Telescope. If India is interested in optical and X-ray astronomical observation (already being experimented with the AstroSat satellite), then a small experiment can be run on the station for a long time.

Space Manufacturing and Industrial Experimentation: A new direction is emerging across the world – manufacturing in space. Microgravity can create some products that are hard to make on Earth, such as ultra-pure drugs, special optical fibers, or biological tissue by 3D printing. These can be tested on experimental basis at Indian stations. This will explore the possibilities of space-based industry in the future.

Long-term human behaviour and biology: At its station, India will be able to gather detailed data on the health, psychology and performance of its astronauts. This data will be invaluable about what changes occur in the body during space stay of 3-6 months and how to manage them. Indian scientists will also be able to see what effect Indian food, Ayurvedic supplements, yoga, etc. have on the health of astronauts. It will be an interesting exploration area in which India can also add its cultural ethos.

Testing for future missions: The space station is also a test-bed where new technologies can be tried. For example, the systems needed to go to the Moon or Mars (engine, fuel, habitat, rover, etc.) can be sent from the station or tested at the station. Refueling in space, new spacesuits, in-orbit repair, etc. can be practiced from the station.

Notably, India has indicated to prioritize space biotechnology through the DBT-ISRO collaboration. The plan is to conduct research on everything from microorganisms to plant cells on the Indian space station and add space contributions to India’s $300 billion bioeconomy goal by 2030. Overall, the Indian space station will provide the country’s scientists and researchers with an unprecedented experimental site that is currently confined only to the ISS or Tiangong. It will also enable Indian researchers to participate in global collaborative experiments and enhance scientific knowledge within the country.

International cooperation: with NASA, Russia, France etc.

International cooperation plays an important role in a complex field like space. India’s space station programme also has both the potential and the need for cooperation and participation from various countries:

Cooperation with Russia (Soviet Union): Russia has been India’s oldest space partner. In the 1970s and 1980s, Indian scientists got opportunities as trainees in Russian missions. Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984 took place under the Soviet Intercosmos program. For Gaganyaan, Russia also trained four Indian astronaut candidates at its center, which was completed in 2020. Apart from this, help has been taken from Russia in some hardware of Gaganyaan (such as spacesuit and life support). In the future, cooperation with Russia on the space station is possible because Russia may need a partner in its programs after the ISS. India and Russia together can also consider building a joint station in the Earth’s orbit or lunar orbit. Although the recently announced Indian space station was described as an independent Indian project, Russia has remained a partner in sharing experiences and technical advice.

United States of America (NASA): India did not seek US collaboration in human space flight for a long time because the US and Russia had an ISS partnership that did not include India. But recently, cooperation in space between India and the US has increased. In 2023, India signed the Artemis Accords, a US-proposed framework of international principles and cooperation in moon and space exploration. During a visit to India in November 2023, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that NASA is ready to cooperate if India wants help with its commercial space station goal (by 2040). NASA has valuable experience over two decades of operating the ISS. India can collaborate with NASA on science experiments, such as putting some equipment from NASA at its station, or including Indian astronauts in future moon missions (Artemis). The US did not provide hardware directly for the Gaganyaan mission, but there has been a possibility of indirect cooperation in space medicine and training.

France (CNES): France is India’s close space partner. In 2021, ISRO and France’s space agency CNES signed an agreement for cooperation in Gaganyaan. Under this, France is training Indian Flight Doctors and Crew (CAPCOM) crew in France. CNES is sharing some technologies for space food, medical equipment and life support for the Gaganyaan mission. French experts are working closely with Indian mission control teams to share their expertise in manned mission operations (they have sent French astronauts to space shuttles in the 1980s and later to the ISS). Going forward, France may also send useful payloads (such as biomedical experiments) to India’s space station. Other countries of the European Space Agency (ESA), which have experience of the ISS, can also partner for the Indian station.

Other Countries and Global Initiatives: India can invite the global scientific community for its station. Just as the ISS is a symbol of international cooperation, Indian stations can be used for other countries even though they are indigenous. India’s neighbours and friendly countries (such as Nepal, Uzbekistan, Brazil, etc.) which do not have their own human flight programme may be interested in sending their astronauts through India. This will be an excellent example of science diplomacy, which will increase India’s global respect.

In the post-International Space Station world, when the ISS will be retired around 2030, various countries will either build private stations or create outposts such as Gateways in moon orbit. India’s LEO (Low Earth Orbit) station will be very important, as it will probably be the only new station to be operational in that period (China’s Tiangong station became operational in 2022). Some private companies in the US (such as Axiom Space) are developing private stations – India can take a lesson from these and partner if it wants, but so far India’s emphasis is on self-sufficient projects.

In summary, international cooperation will be limited to knowledge exchange, training, and some technical assistance, while ownership and control of the station will be concentrated with India. With such a combined strategy, India will gain the experience of others, but self-reliance will also be maintained. As the station develops in the future, there will be opportunities to work together on specific projects with NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, etc., making this project also for the shared benefit of humanity.

Role of Private Sector and Startups

India’s space sector is now entering a new era where participation of private companies and startups is being encouraged. In 2020, the government opened up the space sector to private companies and established a coordination mechanism called IN-SPACe. The impact of this has been that hundreds of space startups have emerged in India in the last few years. This change will also have an impact on the space station project.

Possible Roles of the Private Sector:

Hardware and System Development: Private Indian industries (such as HAL, L&T) and new companies can participate in the manufacture of space station modules, rocket parts, life support system components, AV ICs, robotic arms, etc. For example, companies (Space, Larsen & Toubro) have already joined in making satellites for ISRO. In future, contracts may be given to private production units for the manufacture of station structures, pressurised modules, docking adapters, etc. This will not only ensure faster production but also spread the technical know-how in the industry.

Startup Innovation: Many Indian startups are working on new technologies that will be useful for the space station. For instance, a Pune-based startup is developing a robotic arm that can help with module assembly in space. Bangalore-based startups are experimenting on 3D printing, in-space manufacturing on life space. Startups like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are making small launch vehicles – even if they are not capable of launching manned missions, but their technology innovation is enriching the ecosystem. In addition, satellites like Dhruva Space and Pixxel can be helpful in developing small CubeSat experiments to be sent to the startup station.

Space tourism and commercial utilization: Looking ahead, if India’s station is successfully operational and has additional capabilities, the private sector can also try its hand at space tourism. Just as SpaceX and Axiom are beginning to send private passengers to the ISS, India can also think of sending scientists or tourists at its station for a fee. This requires that the station conforms to standards and assures astronaut safety, in which private companies can provide services (examples: training, logistics). Although this is doubtful in the early decades, there is a long-term possibility.

Private Capital and CSR: In expensive projects like space stations, the model of public-private partnership with the government can be adopted. Large companies can join these projects to promote education and science under their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs. The government is also encouraging the influx of venture capital into startups to boost the space economy.

Collaboration in station operations: Private companies can provide services in the station’s ground support (mission control, tracking). For example, in the US, players like Boeing and SpaceX partner with NASA in station operations. Similarly, in India, Tata or other companies can play a role as subcontractors in communication networks, data processing, launch services.

The way the government has encouraged the participation of startups in the space sector, its impact is beginning to be seen. Dr Jitendra Singh recently informed that more than 300 space startups have been established in the country and are innovating rapidly. This emerging ecosystem will be a strong enabler for India’s space station dream. Handing over parts of the station project to private players will allow ISRO to focus on its core missions (such as system integration, critical technology) and speed up the overall process.

In short, the private sector will act as a multiplier in India’s space program. While ISRO’s experience and guidance will provide innovative solutions to startups, the station project will give birth to an entirely new industrial sector – space hardware manufacturing – in the country. This will also increase employment, skill development and economic activity, which will be one of the major economic benefits of this project.

Challenges: Technical, Financial, Human Resources and Space Debris

The dream of a space station is a matter of pride, but there are many big challenges in its way that cannot be ignored. These challenges can be broadly grouped into a few categories:

Technological Challenges: Building a space station will be a more complex technological task than any space project undertaken by India so far. Though we have built rockets, satellites, moon/Mars vehicles, building a habitable space station module demands new technologies. The design of a pressurized module – which has a pressure of 1 atm inside and a vacuum outside – is a big responsibility to make and leak-proof. Then multiple module docking – interconnecting different modules after launch into space – requires high-level automated docking technology, which we’re working on experimentally like SpaDEx. In addition, it is difficult to develop long-term life support systems (like in the ISS), in which air-water has to be recycled. It takes years for such a system to be reliable; NASA and Russia have spent decades. Energy supply is also a challenge – the station will have to install large solar panels and manage power. Orbital maintenance (maintaining orbit, avoiding collision with debris) and shielding (protection from microscopic meteorites and radiation) are also design challenges. If India builds a station that can travel for 6 months in the future, it will eventually have to add spacewalk (EVA) and repair facilities. For all this, India will need a well-structured plan and extensive trials.

Financial Challenges: The space station project is perceptively very expensive. A budget of ₹10,000 crore (~$1.4 billion) was approved for the initial Gaganyaan program. The space station will require several times more than this, which will have to be allocated in phases. Since India has other development needs as well, it will be a challenge to make such a large investment continuously. Delays or cuts in the budget may affect the project schedule. Further, the expenditure will further increase as time is taken for in-house development of the technical component. However, the expense can be spread out by phasing out the space station to some extent – like a small module first, then gradually expanded. ISRO will also have to keep in mind that the station project does not swallow the budget of other scientific missions, a balance is necessary. Some of the economic burden can be shared by the private sector and international partnerships, but basically the funding has to be done by the government. Another factor, operating the station will incur a certain cost each year (NASA spends ~$4 billion/year on the ISS) – so prior planning is necessary.

Human Resource and Capacity Challenges: The human space flight programme is a new frontier for India. We need a sufficient number of trained astronauts – not just for once, but for a long-term program, to build a core Astronaut Corps with new people added every few years. The training, health monitoring, career paths, etc. of these astronauts have to be institutionalized. In addition, there is a large team of aerospace engineers, biologists, physicians who will design, monitor and support the station. ISRO scientists/engineers will have to learn new skills, some may have to be sent for training in foreign agencies. This dissemination of knowledge will take time. Teams of 24×7 Mission Control Staff, Flight Director, Crew Support, etc. will have to be prepared to conduct the manned mission. Safety culture is extremely important in human space flight – even the smallest mistake can be fatal – so ISRO has to institutionally make safety a top priority. This is a mindset change because till now the impact of failure in satellite missions was not as heavy as in human missions. Ethics and manuals will also have to be made for human-associated trials (where humans are put at risk).

Space Debris: Thousands of dormant satellites and pieces of debris are already orbiting in the low orbit of the Earth. A new space station will be a major target that will be threatened by them. In 2019, India shot down one of its satellites in an anti-satellite (ASAT) test, which created innumerable small debris (though they were in a low orbit and fell down quickly). Still, the situation could worsen by 2035 if the debris is not controlled. The space station will have to move its orbit slightly to avoid repeated collisions with debris (the ISS has to do this regularly). To do this, the provision of engine and fuel will have to be kept. In addition, debris larger than a certain size will be tracked by international systems to predict collisions. The challenge is also to safely deorbit an expensive structure like a space station while leaving orbit (when life is full) so that it does not fall uncontrollably and cause damage to the earth. Such plans are being made for the ISS; India will also have to make such end-of-life plans for its station.

In addition to these challenges, there may be other issues such as launch risk (planning may be affected if a module launch fails), geopolitical risk (changes in the international environment may affect cooperation/technology transfer), etc. Overall, every aspect, from technical skills to money and security, will require careful planning and execution. Although these challenges are daunting, they are not impossible. Every challenge can be addressed – research on technological challenges, phased investment and partnerships on finances, investment in education and training on human resources, and international regulations on debris and clean-up (policy to deorbit satellites). India has already shown amazing space successes in limited resources, so it is possible to overcome these challenges, all that is needed is vision and determination.

Prospects: From a scientific, diplomatic, strategic, and economic point of view

The benefits and possibilities that will arise for India from setting up a space station are multi-dimensional. Let’s assess these possibilities from different perspectives:

Scientific Approach: For the first time, the Indian scientific community will get a platform to conduct continuous space experiments. This will enable high-level research, discoveries and inventions that advance science. Many such experiments that Indian scientists had to rely on NASA or ESA’ s ISS missions to do will be done on the indigenous station. As interest in science and technology in the country grows, more students will be encouraged to take up careers in space science, physics, biology, etc. In the long term, new technologies in space can also benefit ordinary life in the form of spin-offs on Earth – such as better energy systems, recycling technology, advanced materials, etc. India will gain prestige in the international science community through its experiments and emerge as a leader, especially for emerging economies.
Diplomatic Approach: Space has always been a medium of soft power. The Indian space station will elevate the country’s image on the global stage. Scientific exchanges and astronaut exchanges with friendly countries will strengthen India’s diplomatic relations. For example, if India gives an opportunity to neighboring countries (such as Bhutanese scientists) to conduct an experiment at its station, it will increase goodwill. Similarly, the space station could become a hub of international cooperation – perhaps making it the hub of any regional (Asian) space cooperation in the future. This will make India a leader in space activities in Asia. Also, India’s voice will be strengthened in the UN’s human spaceflight programs. If there is no international alternative platform after the ISS, the Indian station can partially fill the void that the world will see India as a responsible and collaborating power.

Strategic Approach: A continued presence in space will give India a strategic edge. Firstly, it will be an inspirational achievement that will boost confidence and unity within the country – as the success of Chandrayaan did. Second, it will enable India’s space-industrial ecosystem to provide cutting-edge technologies in the field of defence and security (such as reusable launchers, hypersonic technology, surveillance capabilities, etc.). Third, in a time of China’s growing space influence, India’s station will be a balancing factor — India will be the only other country in Asia to have a human spaceflight capability at par with China’s. This will strengthen India’s position in the regional balance of power. Since the use of space stations for military purposes is not direct (and India’s intention is scientific), yet it will indirectly boost the country’s security reputation that India can overcome any technological challenge.

Economic Perspective: A national space station will lead to a major economic undertaking. The construction activities associated with it will give a boost to high-value manufacturing in the country. New factories, new suppliers, and thousands of skilled jobs will be created. Just like NASA’s Apollo program in the US gave a boom to the electronics industry, this project in India will give an advanced dimension to Make in India. In addition, it will open up potential new markets – such as private tourism or launch services for overseas experiments – that could generate revenue. Once the technology is developed, India can also export it (such as module design or docking technology) to countries that want to set up their stations in the future. India’s space station will give a clear goal to the country’s youth to launch startups, which will boost entrepreneurship in the economy. Last but not the least, educational and research institutions in the country will also get financial support – new courses, new institutes (such as Human Spaceflight Centre) will open.

Other benefits: One of the major benefits is national pride. When Indian astronauts will unfurl the tricolour at their own station, it will be a moment of extraordinary pride for 1.4 billion Indians. This will increase social cohesion and the spirit of “we can too”. This symbol of technological self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) will further propel India towards innovation and research. Also, having a space station will give India a place in international rules related to the space sector. India’s participation in the negotiations such as space debris, orbital use rules, etc. will be strong because India itself will be a stakeholder.

The essence of all these possibilities is that the space station is not just a project, but a means of multi-dimensional evolution. The returns will benefit the country for decades to come, just as ISRO’s satellite programmes have contributed to socio-economic development through telecommunication, weather forecasting, navigation, tele-education, tele-medicine, etc. Today, the idea of a space station may seem expensive to some, but in the long term its scientific, diplomatic, strategic and economic benefits will far outweigh the investments – a project with a multiplier effect in itself.

Conclusion:

“India’s own space station” – this sentence started with a dream, but with planned efforts it has now become a concrete goal. The Gaganyaan mission will prove India’s human space flight capability in the near future, and moving forward on the same path, the Indian space station can become a reality by 2035. In this journey, the country has taken the lead in developing new technologies on its own: whether it is a complex system like docking, or a life support system that India decided to build on its own if the world refused to share. It is a symbol of self-reliance and reflects the spirit of self-reliant India in space.

Innovation is at the heart of this entire initiative. ISRO and Indian scientists are pushing the boundaries, finding creative solutions to problems and adding to world knowledge. The rise of startups and private sector participation in the space sector has injected new energy, further strengthening the ecosystem of innovation. The impact will not be limited to space, but will also blossom in the form of new ideas and technological revolutions in other industries.

The space station project also puts India on the path of global leadership. New bridges of international cooperation are built through – India is playing an important role in multilateral space forums, working together with France, the US, Russia and other partners. As India achieves this goal, India’s voice in space exploration will become more effective. Tomorrow, India may become a major partner in a manned mission to the Moon or Mars, and on that path, this station can serve as a training and research centre.

Above all, a successful space station will boost the country’s confidence. When Indian astronauts stay atop the earth for months aboard an Indian station doing science, it will be an inspiration to the children of today and future generations that dreams can come true – provided they are driven by determination and hard work. This project is challenging, but seeing the kind of nationwide support, scientific talent and farsightedness that India has shown, it can be said that this dream will come true.

Ultimately, setting up India’s own space station would not just be a technological or scientific achievement; It will emerge as a symbol of India’s self-reliance, innovation capacity and global leadership. It will be a leap where India will transform from a developing space power to a fully developed human space exploration nation. The coming years will witness the gradual realisation of this dream – and when the “Indian Space Station” will be orbiting the Earth around 2035, it will unravel the saga of India’s scientific rise in the 21stcentury.

India’s Space Station: Prospects and Efforts to Realize the Dream