ISRO roadmap to 2047: Bharatiya Antariksh Station, moon sample, $1.5 trillion space economy vision

India has laid out an ambitious long-term space roadmap extending to 2047, with plans ranging from a next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle and a permanent national space station to lunar sample-return missions and a dramatic expansion of the country's space economy.

The roadmap was outlined by V. Narayanan, speaking in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who detailed a series of missions, infrastructure projects and policy reforms aimed at positioning India among the world's leading space powers by the centenary year of Independence in 2047.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2028–2035)

One of the most significant projects in the roadmap is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's planned space station that will serve as a platform for scientific research and future interplanetary missions.

The station will feature a five-module configuration with an overall mass of approximately 52 tonnes and dimensions of around 30 metres by 25 metres. ISRO plans to assemble the station in phases between 2028 and 2035.

According to the space agency, the station will function as a gateway for future interplanetary missions, support microgravity studies, facilitate research in space biology and space medicine, and serve as a hub for international collaborative research.

NGLV to Power Future Deep-Space Missions (2032)

To support future human spaceflight programmes, deep-space missions and large-scale orbital infrastructure, ISRO is developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

The three-stage rocket will use LOX-Methane and cryogenic propulsion systems and feature a reusable booster stage. Two variants are planned — NGLV and NGLV-H.

The launch vehicle will stand 91 metres tall with a core diameter of five metres. The standard NGLV variant is designed to carry 20 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and nine tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), while the heavier NGLV-H variant will be capable of carrying 30 tonnes to LEO and 12 tonnes to GTO.

The launch target for the programme has been set for 2032.

Chandrayaan-4: Moon sample return (2027) 

Building on the success of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO is preparing Chandrayaan-4, a significantly larger mission focused on collecting lunar samples and returning them to Earth.

While Chandrayaan-3 had a launch mass of 3,900 kg, Chandrayaan-4 will weigh approximately 9,600 kg.

The mission will focus on lunar sample collection and return, marking a major step forward in India's lunar exploration programme. ISRO has confirmed that the spacecraft configuration has already been finalised.

The mission is targeted for launch in 2027.

Chandrayaan-5: Joint ISRO-JAXA Lunar Polar Mission (2028)

India's next major lunar venture will be Chandrayaan-5, a collaborative mission between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission will see ISRO develop the high-capacity lander and launch vehicle, while JAXA will provide the rover.

The mission is targeted for launch in 2028 and is expected to further expand India's role in international lunar exploration.

Space Economy Targeted to Reach $1.5 Trillion

ISRO has also outlined an ambitious economic vision for the sector.

According to projections presented by Narayanan, India's space economy is expected to grow from $440 billion in 2023 to $550 billion by 2033 before reaching $1.5 trillion by 2047.

The projections reflect India's intention to significantly expand commercial participation, satellite services, launch capabilities and broader space-based industries over the next two decades.

Policy Reforms Fueling Growth

Narayanan highlighted the transformation triggered by a series of reforms initiated by the Government of India.

Major milestones include the announcement of space sector reforms in June 2020, the release of the New Indian Space Policy in 2023, a revised foreign direct investment policy, and the ongoing work on the Space Activities Bill.

ISRO is also supporting New Generation Entities (NGEs) through IN-SPACe, including 75 Joint Project Implementation Proposals (JPIPs).

India's Space Startup Ecosystem Expands

India's private space ecosystem has expanded rapidly over the past decade.

The number of space startups has grown from just one in 2014 to 400 in 2026.

Some of the notable initiatives emerging from the ecosystem include Vikram-S, Agnibaan, Firefly, TASL Satellite and AzaadiSAT.

NSIL Expanding Industry Participation

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) continues to expand industry participation in India's space programme.

According to the roadmap, five PSLVs are currently under realisation by industry partners. SSLV technology has been transferred to HAL, while ten communication satellites have already been transferred and three more are in progress.

NSIL has also overseen the launch of GSAT-N1 and GSAT-N2.

Tuticorin to Get Dedicated SSLV Launch Complex

India is simultaneously expanding its launch infrastructure.

The foundation stone has already been laid for a dedicated Small Satellite Launch Vehicle launch complex in Tuticorin. The facility conducted its first sounding rocket launch in February 2024 and is expected to strengthen India's small satellite launch capabilities.

Roadmap to 2047

From a reusable heavy-lift rocket and a national space station to lunar sample-return missions and international collaborations, ISRO's roadmap reflects India's ambition to emerge as a major global space power by 2047.

With Bharatiya Antariksh Station targeted between 2028 and 2035, Chandrayaan-4 planned for 2027, Chandrayaan-5 in 2028, the NGLV targeted for 2032 and a projected space economy of $1.5 trillion by 2047, India is positioning space technology as a central pillar of its long-term scientific, strategic and economic growth.