Bharatiya Antariksh Station Plans Include Internal and External Robotic Arms: ISRO Details

ISRO has revealed technical details regarding the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), including provisions for internal and external robotic arms, free-flying systems, and humanoid robots to support future orbital operations.

The information was presented by K Kalpana, BAS Project Director at ISRO, during the Space Science and Technologies session of ESTIC 2026 in New Delhi on October 29. According to the presentation, the orbital outpost is designed as a five-module facility intended to support long-duration human spaceflight and microgravity research.

Key Technical Specifications and Module Roles

The planned station details outline a structure intended to orbit Earth at an altitude of around 450 km with an inclination of 51.5 degrees. Key projected parameters include:

• Mass and Dimensions: Approximately 54 tonnes, measuring about 27 metres by 20 metres.
• Crew Capacity: Designed to accommodate three to four crew members for continuous stays, with space for about three additional astronauts during short-duration missions.
• Habitable Volume and Power: Approximately 100 cubic metres of habitable volume and a 60-kilowatt power-generation capacity.

The five modules carry distinct planned functions:

• BAS-01 (Base Module): Designed as a technology test bed, supporting station servicing, crew habitat requirements, and payload racks.
• BAS-02 (Core Module): Features docking infrastructure, payload racks, and exercise equipment to counteract microgravity effects.
• BAS-03 (Science Module): Intended to support spacewalks, payload racks, and regenerative environmental control and life-support systems.
• BAS-04 (Lab Module): Planned to include a cupola for Earth observation, additional crew quarters, and payload facilities.
• BAS-05 (Berthing Module): Provides a common berthing mechanism for future expansion and cargo-module docking.

Robotic Operations and Research Objectives

While the presentation lists internal and external robotic arms alongside free-flying systems and humanoid robots, exact configurations and specific operational roles remain unspecified in the available details. The station is also planned to feature protection against radiation, extreme temperatures, micrometeoroids, and orbital debris.

The platform is intended to facilitate microgravity experiments across fields such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with government research priorities for the BAS programme.

Timeline and Verification

India has set a target to launch the first module, BAS-01, by 2028, with the complete five-module station planned to be operational by 2035. The development and launch budget for BAS-01 has been approved at Rs 1,763 crore for the 2025–2028 period.

Readers can verify official updates and technical disclosures through ISRO's official communications and announcements from the Department of Space.