Recently ISRO chairman S. Somanath announced the space agency's ambitious endeavour—building India's space station in the future. Somanath had announced that post the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO will look at building a space station in the next 20-25 years. The space station will be constructed and operated by ISRO. Space experts, however, point out that building and operating a space station is not an easy task and is filled with complexities.
Currently the International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft that orbits around Earth at an altitude of about 400 km. It is a joint project of five space agencies—the US’s NASA, Russia’s Roscosmos, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
“The ISS is the largest and the most complex space station ever built. It has been continuously inhabited since 2000 and can host up to seven crew members at a time. In low-earth orbit, it serves as a home, laboratory and platform for various scientific and commercial activities for crews of astronauts and cosmonauts. It is the largest artificial object in the solar system, seen from Earth with the naked eye as a bright moving dot in the sky,” explained space expert Girish Linganna.
Earlier four countries have built and operated space stations so far: China, Russia, the United States and the Soviet Union. China has launched 3 space stations: Tiangong-1, Tiangong-2, and Tiangong. The first two prototypes have been deorbited, while the third one is currently operational and can host up to three crew members. Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) has already launched a total of 11 space stations: Salyut 1 to 7, DOS-2, Kosmos 557, Mir and Zvezda. Some of these were prototypes or failed to reach orbit, while others were operational for several years. Zvezda is still in orbit as part of the ISS.
The US has launched two space stations: Skylab and Freedom. Skylab was operational from 1973-1979; Freedom was never completed and became part of the ISS.
“Launching and assembling the modules and components of the space station in orbit requires precise navigation, docking and coordination. The crew needs to be provided a safe and comfortable environment for experiments on board the space station. This involves maintaining the temperature, pressure, oxygen, water, power, communication and waste management systems. The crew also needs to cope with the effects of microgravity, isolation and radiation on their physical and mental health,” added Linganna.
Experts point out that ensuring sustainability and utilisation of the space station for its intended purposes, which include scientific research, commercial activities, education and international cooperation is equally a herculean task. The space station needs to have adequate facilities, equipment and personnel to conduct various experiments and operations in different fields
“Protecting the space station from external threats, such as space debris, asteroids, or malicious attacks, collisions or damages. The space station also needs to have contingency plans and emergency procedures in case of any accidents or failures. Also building a space station can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of billions of dollars over several years or decades. It can be divided into direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are expenses directly related to construction and operation of the space station, such as, the costs of launching the rockets and spacecraft that carry the modules, components and crew into orbit. Launch costs depend on the type, size and number of rockets and spacecraft used, besides the availability and reliability of the launch providers. Then there are costs of assembling the modules and components of the space station in orbit. Assembly costs include the labour, equipment and materials needed for the assembly process,” explained Lingana.
Space experts also point out that the costs of maintaining the space station in a safe and functional condition, which involves repairing, upgrading and replacing the systems and parts of the space station. Maintenance costs include the labour, equipment, and materials needed for the maintenance process
Besides direct costs, there are also many indirect costs that are expenses not directly related to the construction and operation of the space station, but still influenced by them, such as the costs of developing the technology, engineering, science and cooperation needed for building a space station. Development costs include the research, design, testing and evaluation of the concepts, prototypes and models of the space station and its components. Opportunity costs: Costs of choosing to build a space station over other alternatives or options. These include the benefits or values that could have been gained from investing in other projects or activities instead of building a space station.
But then why do nations want to invest so much in a space station. Experts say that the answer lies in their multifaceted utility. “Space stations serve as cosmic laboratories for scientific research, hubs for technological advancement, and symbols of international unity. They provide an unparalleled opportunity to study the long-term effects of space habitation on the human body, conduct experiments in microgravity, and foster global camaraderie in the pursuit of knowledge.
The ISS, humanity's foremost space station, took over a decade to construct and carries an estimated price tag of over $150 billion. This substantial cost encompasses the development, transportation, and maintenance of modules, sophisticated scientific instruments, and the ongoing upkeep of this colossal orbital habitat,” Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems told THE WEEK.
ISRO now envisions a future where India boasts of its independent space station. This aspiration aligns with India's expanding presence in the realm of space exploration and its ambitions for interplanetary missions. An indigenous space station would serve as a launchpad for a myriad of scientific experiments and cutting-edge technologies vital for these interplanetary sojourns.
As experts point out that the million-dollar question lingers: What would it cost to construct an independent space station for India? Estimating such an expense is a complex task, contingent upon variables like design, technology, and international collaboration. “A preliminary estimate places the figure in the range of Rs 10,000 to 15,000 crores or more. This would encompass the development of the space station, launch expenditures, installation of scientific instruments, and ongoing operational costs. Building a space station is a monumental endeavor, necessitating substantial financial investments, international cooperation of the highest order, and meticulous planning. India's aspirations in this domain underscore our commitment to advancing space exploration and scientific inquiry. The potential dividends, both for our nation and the betterment of humanity, are immeasurable,” said Kesan.
