India and Russia have agreed to place their upcoming space stations—the Russian ROS and the Indian BAS—in the same 51.6° orbit, the current inclination of the International Space Station (ISS). This alignment will allow astronauts from both countries to travel easily between stations, conduct joint experiments and provide mutual support during emergencies. The announcement was made by Dmitry Baklanov, head of Roscosmos, during his visit to New Delhi with President Vladimir Putin.
ROS, developed by the Russian Space Center Energia, will feature a modular design to support deep-space vehicle manufacturing and launches. The first scientific and power module is set to launch in 2028, with additional modules planned through 2033. Meanwhile, India’s BAS, under ISRO, is expected to be operational by 2035,
The collaboration will cover engine technology, crew training, rocket fuel and station development, enhancing international cooperation and scientific output. Economically, Russia will supply engines and transfer production knowledge, supporting India’s self-reliance.Experts predict that by the 2030s, a Russia-India space corridor could become a hub for joint research, deep-space exploration and strategic cooperation.
