Key Takeaways :
1. India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its own home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.
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2. The massive 3.8 meter x 8 meter BAS-01 model was the center of attraction among those attending the National Space Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam. The BAS-01 module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a low earth orbit at 450 km above the earth.
3. Salient features of the BAS include, indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, platform for microgravity research and technology demonstration, viewports for scientific imaging and crew recreation.
4. The BAS will also have provision for refilling of propulsion and ECLSS fluids, radiation, thermal and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection, space suits, airlocks to support extra vehicular activity and plug and play integrated avionics.
5. Notably, India plans to have five modules of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station in place by 2035 as part of its ambitious plans for the space sector.
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Why the Bharatiya Antariksh Station Matters?
1. The BAS is expected to serve as a research platform for studying various aspects of space, life sciences, medicine, and interplanetary exploration.
2. It will provide an opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on human health and test essential technologies needed for long-term human presence in space.
3. The space station will also support space tourism, with India entering the commercial space sector by leveraging the orbital lab’s resources.
4. The BAS will contribute to ongoing international collaborations and serve as a hub for scientific research and also inspire younger generations to consider careers in space science and technology.
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Existing Space Stations in Orbit
Presently, there are two orbital laboratories — the International Space Station operated by five space agencies, and the Tiangong space station of China.
1. International Space Station: According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) site, “The International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch and flight operations, training, engineering, and development facilities, communications networks, and the international scientific research community.
— Five partner agencies, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, NASA, and the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos”, operate the International Space Station, with each partner responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides.
— The Station was designed between 1984 and 1993. Elements of the Station were in construction throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe beginning in the late 1980s. In 1993, as the Station was undergoing a redesign, the Russia was invited to participate.
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2. China’s Tiangong space station: The Chinese space station has three modules—the Tianhe core module (“heavenly river” crew module) and the laboratory cabin modules Wentian (“quest for heavens”) and Mengtian (“dreaming of heaven”).
— Tianhe was the first module of the space station to be launched and was launched into orbit on April 29, 2021. This core module contains living quarters for three crew members and provides much of the space station’s key functions including power, propulsion, guidance, navigation and life support systems. The Tianhe module also has a “Chinarm” robotic arm.
— The Wentian science module provides added navigation, propulsion and orientation controls to act as a backup for functions on Tianhe. It also serves as a pressurised environment for researchers to conduct zero-gravity experiments. Further science experiments can be placed on the outside of this module, like experiments that measure the effects of exposure to cosmic rays, solar winds and other space conditions. It also has a robotic arm dubbed the “Indexing arm.” Wentian launched and docked with the Tianhe module on July 24, 2022.
BEYOND THE NUGGET: National Space Day
1. National Space Day commemorates the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved the safe landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023.
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2. With this achievement, India proudly became the fourth country to successfully land on the moon, making history as the first to land near the southern polar region.
| National Science Day |
| On February 28th every year, we celebrate National Science Day to honour the remarkable discovery of the “Raman Effect” by Bharat Ratna Dr. C.V. Raman in 1928. On this day, Dr C V Raman announced the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1930. |
3. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”.
Post Read Question
Consider the following statements with reference to existing orbital laboratories:
1. Tiangong space station is operated independently by Russia.
2. The International Space Station is operated by five space agencies.
3. The International Space Station was designed between 1984 and 1993.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
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(Sources: ISRO unveils model of Bharatiya Antariksh Station, National Space Day: All you need to know for UPSC Prelims and Mains, nasa.gov, 5 facts about China’s new ‘Heavenly Palace’ space station)
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