After launching numbers of satellites to extend its space programme, India plans to have its own space station. If India gets its space station, it will become the second country to have a space station after the U.S.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, K. Sivan in a press conference on June 13 said that the country will have the space station after the Gaganyaan mission which is scheduled for August 22.
While addressing the media Dr Sivan said, “We want to have a separate space station. We will launch a small module for microgravity experiments…. That is our ambition.” The space organisation is likely to forward a complete report about the space station to the government after the Gaganyaan mission.
Explaining further, Dr Sivan said that the space station is predicted to weigh 20 tonnes and serve a shelter to the astronauts for 15-20 days. The space station will be levitating in space, 400 km above the earth. Dr Sivan has also estimated that the space station will take an approximate of 5-7 years to launch.
He further said that ISRO would like to join the international space community for a manned mission to the moon and beyond.
Gaganyaan Mission
The Centre and ISRO in the press conference have revealed the country’s latest plan for space research. After announcing the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the details for the country’s first manned space mission- Gaganyaan were announced. Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh, told the media that the project is planned to be released by the 75th Independence Day, i,e in 2022. Dr Singh further said that Rs 10,000 crore was approved by the Union Cabinet for the Gaganyaan mission, just before the Model Code of Conduct came into force. A Gaganyaan National Advisory Council has been set up with experts from various institutions and industries to advise and supervise the mission. The mission will comprise of 2-3 crew, who will be selected in the coming six months. They will undergo training for 1-1.5 years. The initial training of those selected will take place in India, however, the advance of the training will take place in foreign. ISRO has signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with the Indian Air Force for selection and training of pilots for the manned mission.
