The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has ambitiously outlined plans to establish its own space station by 2030, thereby joining the ranks of advanced spacefaring nations such as the US, Russia, and China. A space station is an artificial structure designed for humans to live and work in outer space for extended periods. Currently, the International Space Station (ISS) holds the distinction of being the only active space station and the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit.
Indian Space Station: An overview
The proposed Indian space station, while relatively modest in comparison to the ISS, will play a significant role in facilitating crucial microgravity experiments. It is not intended to be a platform for space tourism, unlike some other proposed ventures. With an estimated mass of about 20 tonnes, the Indian space station’s preliminary designs accommodate astronauts for periods up to 20 days. This project is viewed as a natural extension of ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.
The space station will occupy a low earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers. A notable highlight of this endeavor involves ISRO’s development of space docking technology, a key innovation necessary for operationalizing the space station. Known as Spadex, this experimental technology facilitates the transfer of humans from one spacecraft to another, a critical aspect of maintaining a functional space station.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Planned launch year | 2030 |
| Estimated mass | 20 tonnes |
| Orbit altitude | Approximately 400km |
| Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) | Technology facilitating human transfer between spacecraft |
| Astronaut accommodation period | Up to 20 days |
The Significance of a Space Station
The establishment of a space station is highly beneficial not just for the scientific community, but also for humanity at large. Space stations provide a unique platform to conduct a broad range of scientific studies, which are otherwise impossible in other space vehicles. For instance, Gaganyaan – although taking humans and microgravity experiments into space – will only be a few days mission.
Moreover, space stations offer the opportunity to evaluate the effects of long-term space flight on the human body. This is critical as our understanding of the impact of prolonged exposure to space conditions is limited. Astronauts usually spend weeks or months aboard the space station, with their stays rarely extending beyond a year. These extended missions provide invaluable data that can help shape future space exploration missions and potentially enable long-duration human travel to farther destinations.
