India’s ambitious foray into the realm of space exploration has taken a significant leap forward with its strategic plan to establish its space station. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) envisions a modular space station that will serve as a technological marvel and a testament to India’s growing prowess in space science. This initiative aligns with the nation’s long-term goals of advancing its space program and fostering scientific research in microgravity conditions. The establishment of an indigenous space station holds multifaceted benefits for India’s space endeavors. Firstly, it enables the nation to conduct long-duration experiments in a microgravity environment, fostering innovation and technological advancements. Additionally, having its space station enhances India’s autonomy in space missions, reducing dependency on international collaborations. Furthermore, this venture propels India into the league of select nations with the capability to operate and maintain a space station, underscoring its position as a formidable player in the global space arena.
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Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to define a space station.
- In Body,
- Discuss ISRO’s space station plans.
- Also, write its significance.
- Try to conclude with a futuristic outlook on space technology.
Answer:
India plans to have its space station in the future and conduct separate missions to study the Sun and Venus. As the nation moves to bolster its status as a leader in space technologies and inspire young minds to take an interest in scientific fields, India’s space agency will work on its space station following its first manned mission to space, called Gaganyaan in 2022.
India’s Space Station Plan:
- India wants to have a separate space station of its own. For this India will launch a small module for conducting microgravity experiments. Gaganyaan aims to send a crew of two to three people to space for a period of up to seven days. The spacecraft will be placed in a low Earth orbit of 300-400 km.
- The agency will submit to the government after the Gaganyaan mission a detailed report on how it intends to set up the space station. It currently believes it would take five to seven years to conceptualize the space station.
- The Indian space station will be much smaller than the International Space Station and will be used for carrying out microgravity experiments (not for space tourism).
- The preliminary plan for the space station is to accommodate astronauts for up to 20 days in space, and the project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission.
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is working on a space docking experiment (Spadex), a technology that is crucial for making the space station functional. Space docking is a technology that allows the transfer of humans from one spacecraft to another.
Significance of Space Station:
- It would help to sustain the Human Space Mission in the future for a longer period.
- Space platforms can be used to perform Microgravity experiments. It would help in scientific and technological developments such as innovations related to water purification and biotechs.
- It will help in Deep space exploration like the study of other galaxies.
- The indigenous Space station would enhance India’s image in the international sphere. It would increase
- India’s position as a space power.
- India can earn revenue from commercial engagements with other countries from its space prowess.
India should increase its engagement with the private sector and research institutions to create human resources and innovative products for its growing space economy. The space station would not only enhance India’s capabilities but would motivate Indian youth to further pursue a career in space. Building a space station is not easy and carries various challenges. Once built it would pave the way for India to become a space super-power. As India is known for low-cost and high-end technological solutions it will help India to use space diplomacy to make its own space in various international agencies and bodies.
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