In a major stride towards India’s space ambitions, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) under the Gaganyaan program. This decision marks a significant milestone toward establishing India’s own space station by 2035 and sets the stage for a manned lunar mission by 2040.
The Gaganyaan program has now been expanded, featuring eight missions to be completed by December 2028, including the launch of the BAS-1 unit. This expansion includes additional uncrewed missions and hardware requirements to support ongoing human spaceflight initiatives. The total funding for the Gaganyaan program has been increased to ₹20,193 crore, with an additional ₹11,170 crore allocated to accommodate this broader scope.
ISRO will lead this national effort, working closely with industry, academia, and other national agencies. The program aims to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions, with four missions scheduled by 2026 under the ongoing Gaganyaan program. This will be followed by the development of the BAS-1 module and four more missions for technology demonstration and validation by 2028.
The development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is expected to enhance microgravity-based scientific research and technology development, driving innovation across key sectors. This initiative is also expected to boost employment in high-technology sectors related to space and allied industries.
In addition to its scientific and technological goals, the expanded Gaganyaan program is designed to inspire Indian youth to pursue careers in science and technology, providing unique opportunities for microgravity research and development. The innovations and technological spin-offs resulting from this program are expected to benefit society at large, further cementing India’s leadership in space exploration.
The Cabinet also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission and the Venus Orbiter mission, advancing India’s exploration efforts to Earth’s celestial neighbors.
