**European Astronauts May Soon Live and Work on India’s Space Station**

*By Akash Pandey | Oct 03, 2025, 04:42 PM*

Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), has confirmed that European astronauts could soon be living and working aboard India’s ambitious new space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).

In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday, Aschbacher revealed that recent discussions with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) took place in Sydney during the International Astronautical Congress 2025. These talks mark an important step toward closer collaboration between the two space agencies.

### ESA and ISRO Strengthen Collaboration

The ESA and ISRO are actively exploring ways to deepen their partnership in human space exploration. Their discussions cover a wide range of areas, including space exploration, Earth observation, deep space communication networks, and commercialization opportunities.

To formalize this cooperation, both agencies have created working groups tasked with drafting proposals focused on joint missions and collaborative projects.

### European Astronauts to Visit Bharatiya Antariksh Station

One of the most exciting prospects emerging from these talks is the potential for European astronauts to travel to and conduct research aboard the BAS. The station is designed as a modular facility orbiting Earth at an altitude of 400 to 450 kilometers.

India plans to launch the first module of the BAS by 2028, with the station expected to be fully operational by 2035.

### Next Steps and Timeline

Aschbacher confirmed that including European astronauts in the BAS mission is an integral part of the ongoing agreement. “We are looking into the details of the timescale and the cooperation that will be done in the next couple of months,” he said.

He further explained, “We are also analyzing costs, funding, and time schedules, and in spring next year we will have more details.”

### A Strategic Partnership for Global Space Cooperation

The partnership between ESA and ISRO is set to enhance global cooperation in space exploration. For Europe, this represents a strategic partnership amid changing international space dynamics.

ESA’s involvement could encompass scientific research, infrastructure development, and cargo delivery support to the station, opening up new opportunities for joint missions in low Earth orbit and beyond.

As this promising collaboration develops, the world watches as Europe and India work together to push the frontiers of human spaceflight further than ever before.
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