India plans to set up its own space station

On thursday, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief K Sivan said that the India is planning to set up its own space station.

ISRO also announced two other missions. Mission Aditya L1 which will be launched in 2020, orbit the sun and another mission to Venus in next 2-3 years.

While addressing a press conference Dr Sivan said, "We are planning to have a space station for India, our own space station. We will not be a part of International Space Station(ISS). Our space station is going to be very small. We will be launching a small module and that will be used for carrying out microgravity experiments. The ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission".

He added, "By planning a space station, the ISRO is 'not thinking of space tourism'. The proposal will be sent to the government for approval after the first Gaganyaan mission by 2022 and it is looking at 5-7 years time frame for execution of the programme. He did not elaborate on the cost of the proposed Indian space station".

Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh said, "ISRO has resolved to send its first human mission into space in 2022. On eve of 75th Independence anniversary of India in 2022, ISRO has resolved to send its first human Mission into space, it could be before 2022. An exclusive special cell has been created, Gaganyaan National advisory council to monitor planning and preparation. India's second spacecraft to the moon, Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on July 15 this year and will be an extension of Chandrayaan-1".