The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled
plans to launch India’s inaugural international space station by 2028. ISRO
Chairman S Somnath shared this exciting announcement in Ahmedabad on Friday
during the Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan, a collaborative effort by Vigyan Bharti
(Vibha) and the Gujarat government.
Somnath informed a gathering of young scientists that within the next five years, ISRO intends to deploy the first module of the international space station (ISS), weighing 8 tonnes and featuring robotic capabilities. Referred to as the ‘Bharat Space Station,’ this ambitious project is set to be realized during Amrit Kal, according to the ISRO chairman.
Highlighting technological advancements, Somnath mentioned the development of a new rocket capable of carrying a payload ranging from 20 to 1,215 tonnes. He emphasized that the current Indian rockets can only manage a 10-tonne payload. The ISS is positioned to serve as a cornerstone for future ISRO missions, with plans to dispatch astronauts as part of the ISS mission by 2035.
Touching upon the Aditya L-1 mission focused on studying the solar atmosphere, Somnath shared that the spacecraft is expected to reach the L-1 point on January 6. He invited the public to witness the video footage of Aditya entering the L-1 point, marking a significant achievement for the mission.
Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 2, the Aditya-L1 mission is the first Indian space-based observatory dedicated to studying the Sun from a halo orbit L1. Somnath explained that once successfully positioned at the L1 point, Aditya-L1 is anticipated to gather crucial data over the next five years. This data, he stressed, is not only valuable for India but holds global significance, aiding in the understanding of the Sun’s dynamics and its impact on life on Earth.
