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Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
Context:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed an agreement to conduct experiments for integration into India’s proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), which is expected to be operational between 2028 and 2035.
More on News:
- The BAS initiative comes as the International Space Station (ISS) is expected to be decommissioned by 2030 due to geopolitical changes and rising operational costs.
- In contrast, nations like China have established their own space stations, such as the Tiangong, which is fully operational enhancing the urgency for India to develop its capabilities.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
- The Cabinet approved the development of the first module of India’s indigenous space station, BAS-1, as part of the extended Gaganyaan program.
- The 52-tonne station will orbit 400 km above Earth and serve as a research platform for microgravity experiments, astronomy, and Earth observation.
- Aims to operationalise India’s space station by 2035 and a crewed Moon landing by 2040.
Proposed Experiments:
- Microgravity Research: The collaboration will explore how weightlessness affects muscle loss, the growth of algae as potential nutrients, and the impact of radiation on astronaut health.
- Bio-Manufacturing: The experiments will also investigate algae-based methods for producing jet fuel and preserving food for longer durations.
- Human Health Research: The partnership will focus on developing regenerative medicine, biotherapeutics, and novel pharmaceuticals.
Significance of the Collaboration:
- This MoU is part of the DBT’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, which aims to stimulate bio-manufacturing in India.
- The bio-economy is projected to be worth $300 billion by 2030, and this collaboration is expected to drive innovation in human health research, and waste management, and support multiple startups.
Future Missions:
- Before the BAS becomes operational, ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed space mission, is scheduled to launch between 2025 and 2026.
- Some of the biology missions may be included in the uncrewed test missions leading up to Gaganyaan.
