On October 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined ambitious targets for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He tasked ISRO with creating an ‘Indian Space Station’ or ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035. Additionally, he set the goal of sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.
These aspirations come in the wake of the successful Chandrayan-3 mission and the Aditya L1 mission. The latter is expected to reach its objective by the end of November. In response to these achievements, Modi urged ISRO to strive for these audacious objectives.
Space Stations In Operation Today
The International Space Station (ISS) is well-known. Many think it’s the first and only space station orbiting Earth. But that’s not true. There are two space stations in operation today. These are the ISS and the Tiangong Space Station from China.
The International Space Station
- The International Space Station (ISS) is an international project. It is led by five space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.
- The ISS orbits Earth at an average altitude of 250 miles or 408 kilometres. It has a speed of 17,500 mph.
- It started with the launch of its first component in 1998. Over time, more parts were added to it.
- The ISS became habitable on November 2nd, 2000. Since then, it has been continuously occupied, breaking the record for the longest continuous stay in space.
- The ISS is the largest spacecraft orbiting Earth. It covers the area of a football field.
- It is equipped with high-tech equipment like pressurised habitation modules, solar arrays, thermal radiators, robotic arms, and more.
- The ISS also has a science laboratory. Astronauts use this lab for experiments and data collection. These efforts aim to further human exploration of space.
The Tiangong Space Station
- Tiangong, China’s space station, circles the Earth between 217 and 280 miles high. It shares a similar orbital height to the International Space Station (ISS).
- The Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA) constructed Tiangong, also known as “Heavenly Palace”, in low Earth orbit.
- The station was built by launching three modules between 2021 and 2022.
- The first module, Tianhe, was launched on April 28, 2021.
- The second module, Wentian, was launched on July 24, 2022.
- The third and final module, Mengtian, was launched on Oct. 31, 2022.
- Compared to ISS’s 16 modules, Tiangong has just three, making it significantly smaller.
- Furthermore, Tiangong weighs substantially less than the ISS. The Chinese station has just 20% of the ISS’s mass, which totals around 400 tons (450 metric tons).
- Tiangong Space Station, a project of CMSA, China, is also known as “Palace in the Sky.”
- NASA, prohibited by US law to collaborate with China, isn’t involved in Tiangong’s development.
- Tiangong’s structure and components frequently receive upgrades, with CMSA optimistic about future international partnerships.
- Key Tiangong features include a transport vehicle for spaceflight programmes, a lab, a multi-functional cargo airlock, a core module with living quarters, and a freight vehicle for heavy payloads.
Future Space Stations
Russian Orbital Station (ROS)
- Roscosmos, Russia’s space corporation, recently shared more information about the Russian Orbital Station (ROS).
- The search for the initial group of cosmonauts for the ROS will begin in 2024.
- By 2025, a tailored training program for these cosmonauts should be in place.
- The ROS project appears to be a response to China’s establishment of its own LEO base, the Tiangong base.
- We can expect to see preliminary ROS designs in the coming months.
- The first power module should launch by 2027, with four additional modules by 2030.
- Russia plans to participate in the International Space Station (ISS) until 2028.
- This means there will be a time when the ISS and ROS are both operational.
- This strategy helps Russia maintain its space presence while transitioning from the ISS to the ROS.
- The ROS project reflects Russia’s aim for space sovereignty, offering unique research opportunities and boosting national pride.
- The project’s success relies heavily on securing enough funding and managing the complexities involved.
- Space stations, such as the ISS, which has cost more than $100 billion to date, require significant financial investment.
Haven-1
- Haven-1, an upcoming space station, is currently being developed by Vast, an American aerospace company. It is designed to be positioned in low Earth orbit.
- The launch, scheduled for 2025, will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- Initially, Haven-1 will operate as an independent crew station.
- It will later become part of a larger space station developed by VAST.
- This project marks progress in commercial space activities.
- However, there are concerns about the safety and practicality of long-duration space habitation.
- Successful missions could enable extensive scientific research, manufacturing in space, and potentially even tourism.
- Unsuccessful missions, however, could negatively impact the growing commercial space industry.
Orbital Reef Space Station
- The Orbital Reef is a commercial space station.
- It’s built by private space firms for an ultimate tourism experience.
- The station offers stunning no-gravity views of Earth.
- Modern architecture ensures comfortable lodgings.
- A dedicated crew is always on hand to assist.
- It presents a chance to pioneer your business in space.
- This venture opens up a future filled with exploration and unprecedented opportunities.
- Orbital Reef will continuously orbit the planet approximately 250 miles above Earth.
Lunar Gateway Scientific Station
- Developed in collaboration with international and commercial partners, Gateway will serve as humanity’s inaugural space station encircling the Moon.
- This pivotal element is poised to play a crucial role in NASA’s ambitious deep space exploration endeavours, spanning from the Moon to Mars and beyond.
- The Lunar Gateway Scientific Station is a part of the Artemis program.
- Its goal is to establish long-term settlements on the Moon.
- After the retirement of the ISS, this space station will replace it.
- It will orbit the Moon and act as a hub for human and robotic research.
- The work of the Artemis Programme‘s researchers and scientists sends an inspiring message.
- Their discoveries aim to stimulate the next generation to continue shaping the world.
Previous Space Stations
While the ISS and the Tiangong Space station are well-known, it’s worth noting that there have been various other space station programs in the past.
Salyut
- Salyut, the first space station program, was initiated by the USSR.
- It was partly used for secretive military stations.
- Notably, Salyut marked the first orbital handover between two different crews.
- Long-term research in the Salyut program led to significant discoveries.
- These findings set the stage for more advanced and complex spaceships.
- The launch date of Salyut was April 9, 1971.
Mir
- Mir was the largest spacecraft before the ISS.
- It paved the way for NASA and Roscosmos’ collaboration, known as “Phase One.”
- The programme began in 1994 and ended in 1998.
- It launched 11 space-shuttle missions.
- The collaboration between the US and Russia was successful.
- Notable achievements include the first American astronaut to launch aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.
- Another significant milestone was the first American spacewalk using a Russian spacesuit.
Skylab
- The Skylab spaceship was distinctly American and launched by NASA in 1973.
- Unlike the reused Mir spaceship, Skylab had a one-time use.
- Its purpose ended in 1979, leaving debris over the Indian Ocean and Western Australia.
- The spaceship housed a solar observatory and an orbital workshop.
- Despite its limited lifespan, Skylab fulfilled its main goals:
- It demonstrated that humans could survive in space for extended periods.
- It provided valuable data on solar astronomy.
Past And Present Space Stations At A Glance
(The dates refer to periods when the stations were inhabited by crews.)
- Salyut space stations (USSR, 1971-1986)
- Salyut 1 (1971, 1 crew and 1 failed docking)
- Salyut 2/Almaz (1973, failed shortly after launch)
- Salyut 3/Almaz (1974, 1 crew and 1 failed docking)
- Salyut 4 (1975-1976, 2 crews)
- Salyut 5/Almaz (1976-1977, 2 crews and 1 failed docking)
- Salyut 6 (1977-1981, 16 crews (5 long duration, 11 short duration, and 1 failed docking)
- Salyut 7 (1982-1986, 10 crews (6 long duration, 4 short duration, and 1 failed docking)
- Skylab space station (USA, 1973-1974, 3 crews)
- Mir space station (USSR/Russia, 1986-1999, 28 long duration crews)
- International Space Station (ISS) (U.S., Russia, Japan, European Union, Canada, 2000-ongoing, 14 long duration crews to date)