First Glimpse of India’s Space Station Module: ISRO Unveils BAS-01 Model
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At the National Space Day celebrations held in New Delhi on August 22, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveiled the first model of its ambitious Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module, signalling a bold step toward becoming a frontrunner in orbital space research.
The BAS-01 module is expected to launch by 2028 and will operate in a low Earth orbit approximately 450 km above the planet. Designed to serve as the foundational block of India’s future space station, it will weigh around 10 tonnes and come equipped with several critical indigenous systems—including an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System (BDS), Bharat Berthing Mechanism (BBM), and an automated hatch system.
ISRO plans to expand the station into a fully functional orbital complex comprising five modules by 2035, enabling microgravity research, technology demonstration, and potentially pioneering Indian space tourism. With these capabilities, India is poised to join the ranks of nations operating orbital laboratories such as the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong.
The unveiling at Bharat Mandapam attracted widespread attention from scientists, policymakers, students, and space enthusiasts. The display represents not only a hallmark in India’s space endeavour but also a vision for a future where advanced scientific experiments and human spaceflight are rooted in domestic innovation.
Beyond research, the BAS platform is expected to support long-term goals like space tourism, technology validation for deep-space missions, and international collaboration. Notably, the European Space Agency (ESA) has already expressed interest in collaborating with BAS—potentially through joint missions or docking exercises.
In sum, the unveiling of the BAS-01 module heralds the beginning of a transformative journey for India’s space program, signaling the nation’s ambitions to foster sustained human presence in space through homegrown innovation.
