New Delhi: India will have its own space station by 2035, known as “Bharatiya Antriksh Station”, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said on Saturday.
He announced the signing of a landmark MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The MoU aims to integrate biotechnology with space technology, heralding a new era of scientific innovation in the country.
The MoU outlines several key initiatives, including establishing a ‘Bharatiya Antriksh Station’ and unveiling 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, bioastronautics, and space biology.
The minister lauded ISRO Chairman S. Somnath and Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, for making this collaboration possible.
“The public-private participation has been instrumental in the rapid growth of India’s space sector,” said Dr Singh, adding that the number of space startups has grown significantly, with nearly 300 startups now contributing to the space economy.
This partnership is expected to benefit the national human space programme and spur innovations in human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and bio-based technologies for efficient waste management and recycling.
Dr Singh also acknowledged the Department of Biotechnology’s role 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 gave a green signal for building the first unit of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2028.
The government envisaged an Indian Space Station by 2035 and an Indian landing on the lunar surface by 2040. Towards this goal, the Cabinet approved the development of the first module of BAS-1.
–IANS
