PARLIAMENT QUESTION: HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT AND INDIGENOUS SPACE TECHNOLOGY - 30th July 2026 - Department of Space - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary This report provides an update on the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and the Gaganyaan Programme, focusing on India's transition toward indigenous human spaceflight technology. The Union Cabinet approved the first BAS module (BAS-01) in October 2024, with a targeted launch by 2028 and full station establishment by 2035. Immediate milestones include the advanced preparation of the G1 uncrewed mission and the ongoing design of proto hardware for critical flight components.

Key Points / Main Content

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) Development

• The BAS is India’s first indigenous space station, planned to comprise five modules with a final completion target of 2035.
• The first module, BAS-01, received Cabinet approval in October 2024 as part of the revised Gaganyaan Programme scope.
• Technical milestones for BAS-01 include the completion of the Baseline Design Review and System Engineering, with 31 baseline design documents released and subsystem design underway.

Gaganyaan Programme Progress

• New developments have been completed for the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), Orbital Module, and Crew Escape System.
• Pre-cursor missions, including TV-D1, IADT-01, and IADT-02, have been successfully accomplished.
• The first uncrewed mission, G1, is currently in the advanced stages of activity.

Technological Innovations and Indigenization

• Electrical and mechanical interfaces for docking systems have been established.
• A concept demonstration model for a refueling mechanism has been successfully proven.
• Critical human spaceflight technologies—specifically flight suits, view ports, and crew seats—are being transitioned from external sourcing to indigenous development.
• The Government of India has approved the development of these critical technologies, and the design of proto hardware is currently in progress.

Impact Analysis

Department of Space / ISRO Impact The department is tasked with a broader mission scope, shifting focus from mission execution to the indigenous design and manufacturing of complex space station modules and crew equipment. Action Required Commence the design of subsystems for BAS-01 and continue the development of proto hardware for indigenized flight components.

Government of India (Union Cabinet/Policy Makers) Impact The government is driving a policy of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in high-technology manufacturing and human spaceflight infrastructure. Action Required Provide continued oversight and support for the revised Gaganyaan scope to meet the 2028 launch and 2035 establishment deadlines.

High-Technology Manufacturing Sector Impact The shift toward indigenous development of flight suits, docking systems, and station modules creates a requirement for domestic innovation and specialized manufacturing capabilities. Action Required Support the design and development of proto hardware and the eventual production of the remaining four BAS modules.