India's ambitious space mission aims for an orbiting space station by 2035 and Lunar astronauts by 2040

Following a successful inaugural robotic moon landing, India has set its sights on the ambitious goal of deploying astronauts on the lunar surface by the year 2040. In conjunction with this mission, the nation aims to establish an Earth-orbiting space station by 2035, as confirmed by an official statement from the Indian government on Tuesday (Oct. 17).

The future lunar exploration initiatives of India are anticipated to involve a series of additional Chandrayaan missions, the construction of a new launch pad, and the development of a heavy-lift launch vehicle, as outlined in the official statement.

Furthermore, India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, originally slated for 2025, has experienced delays but is now planning 20 major tests, including multiple uncrewed missions to validate the launch vehicle. The program's upcoming high-altitude abort test, scheduled for this Saturday (Oct. 21), will serve as a crucial step in assessing the functionality and efficacy of the crew escape system.

With ambitions extending to the mid-2030s, India envisions the establishment of a 20-ton space station in a fixed orbit 248 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth, capable of hosting astronauts for extended periods. Additionally, the nation is preparing for an upcoming Venus orbiter mission and a follow-up Mars orbiter mission, signifying India's steadfast commitment to significant contributions in space exploration.

While India remains dedicated to its ambitious space objectives, it is also worth noting that other nations, such as the United States and China, are also actively pursuing lunar exploration initiatives, setting the stage for a new era of space exploration and discovery.