ISRO Chief V Narayanan Announces India’s Space Station Goal

India is planning to establish its space station by 2035. The target has been revealed at the third National Space Day celebrations in Ahmedabad on August 23, 2026 by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. The chairman added that the first module of the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) has already been approved. The move will mark an important milestone in India’s space programme which focuses not only on satellite applications and exploring the moon but also includes Gaganyaan as well as human activities in space.

Bharatiya Antariksha Station: What Did ISRO Say?

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan stated that India is planning to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035. According to him, the first module of the station has been approved.

The establishment of the station will be a great step forward for India’s human spaceflight programme, as the station will use the facilities developed under the programme named Gaganyaan.

Narayanan recalled the history of the Indian space programme, noting that over 64 years, its space-based applications have expanded to serve citizens in more than 50 fields.

These fields range from earth observation and remote sensing to telecommunications, TV broadcasting and education, disaster warning and mitigation, navigation, monitoring and tracking.

Gaganyaan and India’s Upcoming Space Programs

As it stands now, Gaganyaan is still considered to be one of the significant space projects that are yet to take place in India. The project aims at gaining the ability to launch humans into space and will offer essential experience for future human projects.

This space station program is an extension of that aim. While the Gaganyaan program focuses on human spaceflight capabilities, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station would signify India’s step toward long-term human activities in space.

Both programs together can significantly enhance India’s involvement in the human spaceflight industry.

Why Does India Need its Space Station?

Having a domestic space station would provide India with an opportunity to conduct research, test new technologies, and gain experience in long-term human space missions.

Additionally, such a station would fit into India’s space exploration plans.

The space program of India has gone through many stages, from launch vehicles and satellites to Earth observation and human spaceflights.

India’s Private Sector Contributing to India’s Space Sector

Addressing at National Space Day event, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat pointed out the importance of private contributions towards India’s space sector.

According to him, due to the increasing involvement of private sectors, new opportunities have emerged, while the efforts of ISRO are being complemented.

Various activities like satellite production, payload development, applications, and launching are being conducted more efficiently.

This expansion in the private sector would help India realize its aspirations in the space sector.