New Delhi: ISRO on Friday unveiled the model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during the two-day National Space Day celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam. India aims to launch the first module of its home-built space station by 2028, marking its entry into the select group of nations operating orbital laboratories, alongside the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong station.

As part of its ambitious plans, India intends to have five modules of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station in place by 2035. The BAS-01 module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a low Earth orbit at 450 km above the planet. Key features of the BAS include the indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, microgravity research platform, scientific imaging viewports, and crew recreation facilities.

The station will also provide refilling for propulsion and ECLSS fluids, protection against radiation, thermal fluctuations and micro-meteoroid orbital debris (MMOD), airlocks for extra-vehicular activities, space suits, and plug-and-play integrated avionics. It is designed to serve as a research hub for space studies, life sciences, medicine, interplanetary exploration, and long-term human presence in space.

BAS will also support space tourism and enhance India’s entry into the commercial space sector. Additionally, it will contribute to international collaborations and inspire younger generations to pursue careers in space science and technology. The massive 3.8-meter by 8-meter BAS-01 model drew significant attention from attendees at the National Space Day celebrations.