India Plans Permanent Manned Moon Base by 2026: 'Shakti Station' Announced
India Plans Permanent Manned Moon Base by 2026: ‘Shakti Station’ Announced
New Delhi, July 20, 2025: In a historic announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveiled plans to establish a permanent, manned moon base called Shakti Station by the end of 2026. This ambitious lunar initiative marks India’s boldest venture yet in human space exploration.
According to the official statement, the station will be located in the southern lunar highlands, leveraging ISRO’s Chandrayaan mission data and infrastructure. Initial construction modules are expected to be launched by mid-2026, with manned presence to follow shortly after.
What is Shakti Station?
- A modular, expandable lunar habitat designed for long-term human occupation
- Equipped with life-support systems, solar energy grids, and lunar research labs
- Built to withstand extreme lunar temperatures and dust storms
ISRO’s Roadmap
Shakti Station will follow a three-phase approach:
- Phase I: Lunar cargo missions and automated assembly bots
- Phase II: Astronaut landing with habitation setup
- Phase III: Full scientific operation and international crew exchange
“Shakti is not just about reaching the Moon, but about living on it — sustainably, scientifically, and proudly.” — Dr. Radhika Iyer, ISRO Director of Lunar Missions
Global Impact
India joins the US and China in the race for long-term lunar presence. The announcement is expected to influence future collaborations, especially with emerging space powers like the UAE, South Korea, and Brazil.
NASA and ESA welcomed the development, noting that shared lunar infrastructure may become the cornerstone of deep-space exploration in the next decade.
Looking Forward
With Shakti Station, India signals a new era — not just for itself, but for humanity’s reach beyond Earth. As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes are now on ISRO and its next giant leap.