• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed an agreement to design and conduct a series of experiments that will eventually be integrated into India’s planned space station — Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) — expected to be operational between 2028 and 2035.
• These collaborative experiments aim to explore various biological and environmental factors that impact human health and resource sustainability in space.
• Potential experiments include studying the effects of weightlessness on muscle atrophy, identifying types of algae that could serve as nutrients or food preservatives, investigating algae-based methods for producing jet fuel, and examining radiation’s effects on astronaut health.
• Before the BAS project, ISRO is prioritising its Gaganyaan mission, scheduled as India’s first crewed spaceflight by 2025-2026.
Key points:
• The ISRO-DBT collaboration is part of the DBT’s 2023 BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, which promotes bio-manufacturing with an eye toward building India’s bio-economy, expected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
• The agreement emphasizes advancing space-based bio-manufacturing, health research, regenerative medicine, and biotechnology for waste management, which will also support Indian startups in this emerging field.
• This initiative aims to drive innovation in human health, pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics, and bio-based technologies.
How will the space station benefit India?
• A national space-based facility such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will boost microgravity based scientific research & technology development activities. However, it also entails substantial technical, financial, and logistical challenges.
• Microgravity Experiments: A space station would allow India to conduct scientific experiments in a microgravity environment, enabling potential breakthroughs in materials science, biology, and medicine.
• For example, studies on the International Space Station (ISS) have shown that certain plants, such as Chinese cabbage, develop differently in space, providing insights for agriculture and food sustainability.
• Innovation: The design, construction, and operation of a space station drive technological advancements in life support, robotics, space habitats, and other high-tech areas essential for sustained space missions.
• Leadership and Prestige: Owning and operating a space station would elevate India’s position as a leader in space exploration, fostering international partnerships and enhancing its global reputation. It would also open opportunities for Indian companies in satellite manufacturing, servicing, and the broader aerospace sector.
• Human Spaceflight Experience: Building on experience from the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, a space station would allow Indian astronauts to engage in long-duration missions, gaining valuable experience and contributing to further crewed missions.
Challenges in building and operating space stations
• Design and Engineering: The complex engineering required to ensure a safe and sustainable structure in space poses substantial challenges. Space stations must withstand harsh conditions, from cosmic radiation to micrometeoroids, while providing a stable environment for scientific research.
• Life Support Systems: Reliable life support systems for air, water, and waste management are crucial for long-term space missions. Such systems must be designed to function autonomously over extended periods, which requires highly dependable technology and redundancy.
• Affordability for India: Building a national space station demands significant financial investment. The International Space Station (ISS), a collaborative project among multiple nations, has cost over %150 billion. A smaller, national station could cost between $10-30 billion.
• Comparatively, ISRO’s budget for 2024-25 is around $1.95 billion, far less than NASA’s annual budget of $25 billion. The cost of building and maintaining such a facility could strain India’s resources, as seen with the former Soviet Union’s abandonment of the Mir space station due to unsustainable operational costs.
• Space Race and International Collaboration: While international partnerships could offer technical and financial assistance, they also entail challenges due to competition in space technology, particularly with established space powers like the United States, Russia, and China.
• Crew Health and Safety: The health and safety of astronauts are critical in prolonged space missions. Microgravity affects the human body in various ways, such as bone density loss (up to 1 per cent per month) and increased intracranial pressure, which can impact vision. Psychological stress from isolation and confinement also poses a challenge.
• Supply Chain Management: Maintaining a space station requires frequent resupply missions for essentials like food, equipment, and scientific samples. Without a fleet of reusable rockets, as seen in programs like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, ISRO would face logistical difficulties in ensuring consistent resupply, which is vital for a fully functioning station.
(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)