India’s 2040 lunar space station is ready to support lunar missions
India has unveiled an ambitious plan to build a space station in lunar orbit by 2040, with the aim of establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth’s orbit. The proposed station will facilitate manned lunar missions and support scientific research, according to recent reports from Indian media. This initiative represents a major milestone in the country’s growing efforts to explore space.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has outlined a phased approach to achieve this goal. According to one report by India Today, robotic missions are planned in the first phase, including the Chandrayaan-4 sample return mission. This mission, scheduled for 2028, will attempt to retrieve approximately 3 kilograms of lunar samples from the moon’s south pole and return them to Earth. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath emphasized the focus on cost-effective methods for such missions.
Manned lunar missions on the horizon
The second phase of India’s moon strategy involves sending astronauts to the moon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, called for bold goals, including a manned lunar flight by 2035 and a human landing by 2040. To prepare for these missions, selected astronauts are undergoing extensive training at ISRO’s Bengaluru facility. , having previously undergone training in Russia.
Focus on long-term presence of the moon
The final phase of this program will culminate in the development of the lunar orbiting station, the information reported. The station is expected to be operational in 2040 and serve as a base for astronauts and a hub for scientific research. The plans also include building a permanent moon base before 2050, the report further noted.
The initiative builds on ISRO’s experience with the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), a low Earth orbit facility scheduled to be operational by 2035. S. Sivakumar, Project Director for ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle, highlighted the challenges posed by this unprecedented undertaking. noting that many aspects of the project are uncharted territory for the space agency.
India’s long-term goals in lunar exploration reflect India’s determination to strengthen its position as a major player in global space exploration.
