What is a Space Station and why it's massive that India plans to launch one of its own

On Thursday, ISRO chief K Sivan announced that India is planning to launch its own space station. Sivan stated that the ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission.

"We have to sustain the Gaganyaan program after the launch of (the) human space mission. In this context, India is planning to have its own space station," Sivan told reporters.

What is a space station?

According to NASA's description, the International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft, also known as an orbital station. As the name suggests, it orbits around 250 miles above the Earth. 

ISS program is a joint venture between five countries- United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, and Europe. 

A man-made station in the space is home to minimum of six astronauts, includes two bathrooms, a gymnasium and a massive window. It also includes a science lab from several countries including the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan. Space stations have been utilised for both, civil and military purpose. 

The first crew arrived on November 2, 2000, on the space station. And as of January 2018, 230 people from across 18 countries have visited the International Space Station.  

READ| MASSIVE: Centre-ISRO Announce India's First Indigenous Manned Mission To Space; 'Gaganyaan' To Have 2-3 Crew

Why is it massive that India might have one? 

At present, there are only two space stations in the orbit- the International Space Station and China's Tiangong-2, and now India is set to have its own. 

Space Stations are built and operated for multiple reasons including research, environment, exploration, study, industry and even tourism. 

From the orbit, space stations offer a remarkable view to research on varied aspects of weather, environment, ocean, atmosphere and more. 

Alongside the huge announcement that India will send its first manned space mission in 2022 in the year when the country marks its 75th year of Independence, K Sivan also said that India is planning to have its own space station. The ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission by the ISRO.

"We have to sustain the Gaganyaan programme after the launch of (the) human space mission. In this context, India is planning to have its own space station," Sivan told reporters during the joint press conference of Centre-ISRO.

In the same press conference, MoS for PMO and Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh news briefing said:

"On the eve of India's 75th anniversary in the year 2022, India will send its first manned mission t moon, It could happen before 2022 also. It is clearly a Make in India mission, from nut to bolt. The mission will have two or three people. The selection process is being done by a team of scientists headed by the ISRO Chairman and finalisation will happen in the next six months and training period extends from 1.5 to 2 years . A special cell has been created called Gaganyaan National Advisory Council to plan the preparation of the mission. The cost of the mission is Rs 10,000 crore."