Parliament Question: Human Spaceflight And Indigenous Space Technology

Key Highlights:

• The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's first indigenous space station with five modules, is targeted for establishment by 2035.
• Union Cabinet approved the development and launch of the first module, BAS-01, by 2028 as part of the revised Gaganyaan Programme.
• Significant progress in the Gaganyaan Programme includes developments in Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), Orbital Module, and Crew Escape System.
• Precursor missions TV-D1, IADT-01, and IADT-02 have been successfully accomplished.
• Indigenous development of critical human spaceflight technologies like flight suit, view port, crew seat, and docking technology has been approved.

Detailed Insights:

• The approval for BAS-01 follows the completion of its Baseline Design Review and System Engineering, with subsystem design now underway.
• Gaganyaan Programme advancements also encompass ground infrastructure, flight operations, communication networks, and crew recovery operations.
• Docking systems, including electrical and mechanical interfaces, have been conceptualized, and a refuelling mechanism concept demonstration was successful.
• The indigenous development of critical technologies aims to establish a strong technological foundation for future BAS modules and foster self-reliance in human spaceflight.
• These initiatives are crucial for building innovation and high-technology manufacturing capabilities required for India's human spaceflight endeavors.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India's planned indigenous multi-module space station, intended to be operational by 2035.
• Gaganyaan Programme: India's human spaceflight mission designed to send astronauts into low Earth orbit.
• Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3): A launch vehicle specifically certified and designed to safely transport human crew into space.
• Docking Systems: Mechanisms that enable two spacecraft to connect and form a single, integrated structure in orbit.