India outlines space vision: Own station by 2035, on Moon by 2040, a developed nation in sector by 2047

By 2035, India will set-up its own space station and by 2040 it will have set foot on the moon, joining the high table of the countries engaged in the exciting world of advanced space research, explorations and technologies, the government has told Parliament.

India has made “significant efforts” for achieving goals outlined in its Space Vision 2047 for advancements in space technology and exploration. By 2035, India would set up its own space station and set foot on the moon by 2040, Minister of State (independent charge) for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

Focussed on technological advancements, international partnerships, increasing the participation of private players and advancing space exploration missions, one of the initiatives under space sector reforms 2020 is to allow the participation of the Indian private sector in the field.

India’s Space Vision 2047

The focus is year 2047 when India will become developed nation in the space sector. The department has developed a roadmap for space science exploration missions, integrating multiple domains of developments, towards realising the goal of Space Vision 2047, which targets establishing Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and landing of an Indian on Moon by 2040, said Singh.

The four important projects under this are:

1. Gaganyaan follow-on missions and establishment of BAS first module by 2028
2. Development of Next Generation Satellite Launch Vehicle (NGLV) (Reusable Low-cost Launch Vehicle) by 2032
3. Chandrayaan-4 by 2027, to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samples
4. Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) by 2028, to study the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of the Sun on Venusian Atmosphere.

BAS— the space station

From discovering water on the Moon with Chandrayaan-1 to landing near the Moon’s south pole with Chandrayaan-3 to the launch of Aditya-L1, ISRO has achieved remarkable milestones.

Aditya-L1 is a coronagraphy spacecraft for studying the solar atmosphere, designed and developed by ISRO and other Indian Space Research Institutes. By studying the nearest star, ISRO also hopes to learn more about the Milky Way and other stars in it.

The ambitious BAS project will mark another feather in India’s space achievements, understanding and utilising outer space for the benefit of humanity. Its milestones include launching first module BAS by 2028, establishment of full BAS by 2035 and Indian Moon landing by 2040.

The modular space station will increase space exploration and help scientific studies and research on microgravity, human health, and life-support systems for future space missions.

It will serve as a launching point for lunar exploration and promote long-duration, sustainable space missions and advancing global space research.

Apart from inspiring young scientists, the project hopes to open up new business opportunities in space.

Indian Space Policy 2023-- research and commerce

As satellite and rocket-enabled technologies become increasingly prevalent, the space economy is expected to be worth around $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to reports.

India announced Space Sector Reforms on June 26, 2020. The Indian Space Policy 2023 also provides a level-playing field to Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in the space sector.

Enabling their participation across the entire value chain of space activities in an end-to-end manner, the vision is to augment space capabilities; enable, encourage and develop a flourishing commercial presence in space, according to the document.

“The government seeks to provide regulatory certainty to space activities by various stakeholders, in order to create a thriving space ecosystem.

“The Indian Space Policy 2023 has thus been formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision approved by Cabinet.

“The vision  is to augment space capabilities; enable, encourage and develop a flourishing commercial presence in space; use space as a driver of technology development and derived benefits in allied areas; pursue international relations, and create an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders," states the policy document.