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Space Stations to Share Orbit for Safety
1 Sep
Summary
- Unified orbital inclination to boost crew safety.
- ROS, Axiom, and Bharatiya Antariksh to use same orbit.
- 51.6-degree orbit has been used since 1967.
A unified orbital inclination is set to enhance crew safety for upcoming space stations. Since 1967, Soviet and Russian manned spacecraft have consistently utilized an orbit with a 51.6-degree inclination. The International Space Station currently operates within this orbital plane, with its deorbit planned for 2030.
Looking ahead to the mid-2030s, at least three national orbital stations are slated for deployment in this same 51.6-degree orbit. These include Russia's Orbital Station (ROS), the US commercial Axiom Station, and India's Bharatiya Antariksh Station. This common orbital path will facilitate necessary flights and crew exchanges, thereby increasing space crew safety and expanding future space infrastructure capabilities.
India recently approved the first module for its Bharatiya Antariksh Station, aiming for completion by 2035. This station is designed as a low-Earth orbit platform and is a key component of India's human spaceflight program.
