The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled its ambitious plan for the future of space exploration, announcing its intention to launch India’s first international space station by 2028. S Somanath, the chairman of ISRO, revealed this groundbreaking initiative during a special event held in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Speaking to a group of young scientists at the Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan, a collaborative effort between Vigyan Bharti (Vibha) and the Gujarat government, Somanath outlined the ambitious timeline for the launch of the initial module of the International Space Station (ISS). “Within the next five years, we will send our first module of the international space station into orbit,” he declared. This first module, a remarkable feat of robotics, is expected to weigh a significant 8 tonnes.
With great pride, Somanath proclaimed, “India is ready to establish its very own ‘Bharat Space Station’ during the Amrit Kal.” This momentous declaration by the ISRO chairman was relayed by All India Radio News.
This monumental endeavor also involves the development of a revolutionary rocket by ISRO, capable of carrying an impressive payload ranging from 20 to 1,215 tonnes. Currently, India’s rocket technology can only transport 10 tonnes, so this represents a significant leap in capacity.
Positioned as a crucial cornerstone for future ISRO missions, the ISS is set to serve as a launching pad for further space exploration. Leveraging these advancements, ISRO is also planning to send astronauts into space as part of the ISS mission, with the aim of achieving this milestone by 2035.
Somanath also provided an update on the Aditya L-1 mission, a bold endeavor aimed at studying the solar atmosphere. “Aditya is expected to reach the L-1 point on January 6,” he declared. Additionally, he reassured that the captivating video of Aditya’s entry into L-1 will be witnessed by the world.
This momentous mission, India’s first-ever space-based observatory designed to explore the Sun from a halo orbit L1, commenced its journey on September 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota.
“Aditya-L1 is projected to arrive at the L1 point on January 6. The specific time will be communicated in due course,” Somanath informed journalists in Ahmedabad during the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan organized by Vijnana Bharati, an NGO dedicated to promoting science.
He further stated, “Once successfully positioned at the L1 point, Aditya-L1 will diligently gather crucial data over the next five years, which is vital not only for India but also for the global scientific community. This wealth of information will greatly enhance our comprehension of solar dynamics and its impact on life as we know it.”