Following a series of successes in space research, India’s next major goal is the ‘Indian Space Station.’ ISRO plans to establish its own fully functional space station by 2035.
Speaking at the third National Space Day ceremony in Ahmedabad, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan stated that the first module of the proposed ‘Indian Space Station’ has already received approval. According to the plan, the first module could be launched into space by 2028. Subsequently, the goal is to complete the station by 2035 by adding further modules in phases. This initiative will create India’s own infrastructure for long-term human presence and research in space.
ISRO announced that the Indian Space Station will be ready by 2035:
The Gaganyaan program is closely linked to this plan. The program’s primary objective is to master the complex technology required to safely send astronauts into Earth’s orbit and bring them back after a designated period. ISRO has already conducted several tests for this purpose, and preparations are underway for an uncrewed test mission prior to the crewed mission.
The space station project represents the next step in long-duration human spaceflight. Initially, a single module will be launched into a specific orbit, and its infrastructure will be gradually expanded. Consequently, the experience gained from the Gaganyaan mission will play a crucial role in the future operations of astronauts aboard the Indian Space Station.
According to the ISRO Chairman, the station will not only showcase India’s space capabilities but also possess the capacity for extensive scientific research. It will enable research in fields such as life sciences, medicine, advanced materials, and manufacturing technologies within a microgravity environment. Experiments that are difficult to conduct on Earth could yield new results in the low-gravity environment of space. Furthermore, the scope for international collaboration may expand in the future. In the long run, such a station is expected to position India strongly in the field of human space exploration.
The scope of India’s space program has expanded significantly over the past few decades. What began approximately 64 years ago has evolved into a space technology sector deeply integrated into the lives of ordinary citizens. Satellite-based technology is being utilized across numerous fields—ranging from weather monitoring, telecommunications, television broadcasting, navigation, distance education, and early disaster warnings to civil security and real-time surveillance.
Recent successes—such as the landing of Chandrayaan-3, the solar observation mission, and space docking tests—have further demonstrated ISRO’s technological capabilities. Additionally, several new projects are planned for the near future, including a mission to orbit Venus.
However, constructing a space station (the Indian Space Station) is not a task a single government agency can accomplish alone. The participation of domestic industries, research institutions, and startups operating in the space sector is becoming essential for such long-term, high-tech projects. The core concept behind National Space Day centered on innovation, collaboration, and India’s potential for global leadership in the space sector.
ISRO is striving to advance this goal by bringing together the public and private sectors. If the Indian Space Station becomes a reality by 2035, it will undoubtedly open a new chapter in the nation’s space exploration journey. Beyond observing the Moon, the Sun, and other planets, India has clearly signaled its intent to establish a long-term presence in space.
