NewDelhi: Indias space agency ISRO is making strides by planning to launch two space stations. One to circle the Earth and the other to delve into the enigmas of the Moon.This advancement establishes India as a frontrunner, in space exploration since the lunar station would be unprecedented worldwide. India will soon launch its Earth orbit station following in the footsteps of the International Space Station (ISS). Chinas Tiangong module, as the third nation to accomplish this milestone independently.
After the touchdown of Chandrayaan 3, at the region of the Moons surface India is making strides to outshine the current frontrunners in space discovery. The country is developing its iteration of the Hubble Telescope to compete with NASA and the European Space Agency. Furthermore India has begun laying the foundation for its space habitats. These initiatives hold importance especially considering that the International Space Station is set for retirement by 2030 potentially creating a void that India hopes to bridge. There are efforts to make the Indian Space Station (ISS for not the International Space Station in this case) operational, by the year 2030, with aims to set up a space station around the Moon by 2040.
ISRO is gradually working towards its vision by implementing it in stages.The initial step, towards establishing Indias space station involves the Gaganyaan mission that aims to launch four astronauts into the Earth orbit (LE0). This mission acts as a building block, for the space station site.
Before embarking on the construction of a station ISRO plans to initiate the Chandrayaan. 2028 Mission to collect samples, from the Moons pole As per the schedule India also aims to conduct its inaugural manned Moon mission in conjunction, with the launch of the lunar space station in 2040
Indias missions, to the moon are segmented into three stages; starting with sending missions to gather samples under the Chandrayaan 4 project; next in line is a manned mission to land astronauts on the surface; and lastly establishing a permanent lunar orbit station for ongoing monitoring and research activities to uncover deeper insights about the moon and serve as a stepping stone, for future Mars expeditions.
Astronauts use space stations as research facilities to conduct studies in space environments.The two main operational stations are the International Space Station and Chinas Tiangong.These stations are where astronauts perform research during missions that usually last about six months.
After the Chandrayaan 2 mission, by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the accomplishments. Encouraged the pursuit of ambitious objectives like a manned mission to the Moon.The Indian government has made allocations for developing space docking technology, for space station activities.
ISRO has chosen four Air Force officers for the Gaganyaan mission. They are currently receiving training at NASA under an India U.S partnership agreement.The program aims to send two astronauts to the International Space Station by the end of this year.