BHARATIYA ANTARIKSHA STATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed plans for Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), India’s upcoming space station. Additionally, final plans for Chandrayaan-4, featuring a pivotal space docking station, and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) are pending approval.

Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS)

• About: It is India’s proposed space station, targeted for establishment by 2035 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 
• Aim: To facilitate extensive space research and experiments in a microgravity environment.
• Objectives

oScientific Research and Experiments: Conducting diverse scientific studies and experiments under microgravity conditions to advance knowledge across various disciplines.

oTesting New Technologies: Serving as a testbed for validating and refining new technologies designed for space applications.

oStudying Space Weather: Investigating space weather phenomena and their impacts on Earth to enhance understanding and develop mitigation strategies.

oPotential Base for Interplanetary Missions: Establishing a potential future foothold for missions beyond Earth’s orbit, contributing to broader exploration ambitions

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Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

• About: The NGLV, developed by ISRO, aims to replace existing launch systems like PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3.
• It represents a leap in technology and capability for India's space missions.
• Configuration: It is a three-stage rocket, featuring partial reusability, which enhances cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Chandrayaan-4

• Aim: The primary objective is to land on the Moon and return rocks and soils (lunar regolith) to India for analysis.
• Spacecraft Modules: Consists of 5 modules including a lander, rover, propulsion module, descender module, ascender module, and transfer module.
• Two Separate Launches: Chandrayaan-4 is the first mission involving 2 launch vehicles to complete a single mission.
• Launch Vehicles: LVM-3 launches with 3 components (Propulsion Module, Descender Module, Ascender Module).
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launches the Transfer Module and the Re-entry Module.