National Space Day: India to Have Its Own Space Station by 2035, Says ISRO Chief V. Narayanan

On the occasion of National Space Day in New Delhi, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan outlined an ambitious roadmap for India's space program, including the launch of the country's own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), by 2035. He said the first module of the station is targeted for liftoff in 2028.

Narayanan revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the development of a Next Generation Launcher (NGL), and reiterated the goal of landing Indian astronauts on the moon by 2040.

India's global ambitions in space

Detailing upcoming missions, Narayanan confirmed:

• Chandrayaan-4 mission
• Venus Orbiter Mission
• Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035
• Human moon landing by 2040

"By 2040, India's space program will be at par with any other space program of the world," he said, underlining the scale of ISRO's vision.

Modi's role in India's space journey

The ISRO chief praised PM Modi's leadership, crediting him for pushing India to send one of its astronauts-Shubhanshu Shukla-to the International Space Station (ISS).

"It was the Prime Minister's idea that before sending a 'Gaganyatri' through our own rocket, one should first be sent to the ISS. His vision led to this success. Shukla ji has gone to the ISS and returned safely," Narayanan said.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the other three shortlisted astronauts for Gaganyaan, emphasizing that "all four Gaganyatris are equally important to us, even though only one got the opportunity this time."