India to have its own space station by 2035: Union Minister

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that India will have its own space station by 2035, to be known as the “Indian Space Station”.

He made the announcement at the signing of a historic MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) aimed at integrating biotechnology with space technology, ushering in a new era of scientific innovation in the country.

The MoU outlines several key initiatives, including the establishment of an ‘Indian Space Station’ and the unveiling of the ‘BioE3’ (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy.

According to the government, the collaboration will focus on areas such as microgravity research, space biotechnology, space biomanufacturing, biospace science and space biology.

The minister thanked ISRO Chairman S. Somnath and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale.

“Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in the rapid growth of India’s space sector,” Dr Singh said. He added that there has been a significant increase in the number of space startups, with nearly 300 startups now contributing to the space economy.

This partnership is expected to benefit the National Human Space Programme and promote innovations in bio-based technologies for human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine and efficient waste management and recycling.

Dr Singh also lauded the role of the Department of Biotechnology in developing the first-ever DNA vaccine, which brought global recognition to India’s scientific capabilities.

In September, the Union Cabinet approved the fourth mission to the Moon and also gave the green signal for the construction of the first unit of the Indian Space Station (BAS) by 2028. The government had envisaged an Indian space station by 2035 and an Indian landing on the surface of the Moon by 2040. Towards this goal, the Cabinet approved the development of the first module of BAS-1.