Parliament Question: The Advantages and Benefits of Bharatiya Antriksh Station

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5401 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026 THE ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF BHARATIYA ANTRIKSH STATION 5401. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P: SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the work of setting up a separate research station in space on behalf of our country names Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the objectives and expected capabilities of BAS in comparison to other space stations; (c) whether it is true that applications have been invited from interested space agencies to build it on behalf of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of total budget earmarked for the India's prestige project in space and fund released in the current budget year; (e) the time by which the BAS project be completed and functional along with the details of milestones have been set to ensure its timely completion; and(f) the advantages and benefits India likely to get by setting up of this BAS? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH): **** (a) ISRO has worked out overall configuration of Bharatiya Antariksh Station comprising of five modules. The overall configuration has been reviewed by the National Level Review Committee. In September,2024, Union Cabinet approved development and launch of first module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-01) by 2028 as part of revision in scope of Gaganyaan Programme. Overall system engineering of BAS-01 module and technology development activities of various subsystems is progressing in ISRO Centres/Units. (b) & (c) It may be noted that Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has issued an Expression of Interest to Indian Industries for realisation of structure for 1st module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). (d) The current approval is limited to first module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station and the cost of development and launch of first module is estimated as ₹1763 Cr for period of four years (2025 to 2028).(e) & (f) It is targeted to have 1st module of BAS by 2028 and fully operational BAS with all five modules by 2035. Major technology goals targeted for BAS include rendezvous & docking, robotics, in-orbit refuelling, crew quarters, intra vehicular suit, racks for microgravity experiments. Key microgravity research areas targeted include life sciences, pharmaceuticals, material sciences and manufacturing technologies. ****