India plans to build a small space station in the next 20 to 25 years for microgravity experiments.

CTOnews.com, October 10 (Xinhua)-- thanks to the success of the Lunar Boat 3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is now looking at a longer-term space exploration program.

S Somanath, head of India's ISRO, said in an interview with Chinese global television network CGTN that the group is exploring various possibilities for future space missions, including the construction of a space station and long-term manned spaceflight.

He revealed that the schedule of the Indian space station project spans the next 20 to 25 years, and plans to develop manned space capabilities through India's first manned space mission, Gaganyaan.

"our plan is to start building a space station and operating it with robots in the near future. We still do not have the capability of manned flight, but we are working on it. The Gaganyaan project aims to develop manned space capabilities, and once achieved, we will be able to gradually build the space station through subsequent modules over the next 20-25 years."

According to CTOnews.com enquiries, the project aims to send three astronauts into a 400km orbit for a three-day mission and return safely. The astronauts who have been selected to carry out the mission are currently being trained, and they are called "Gaganauts".

"We have a very clear plan," said K Sivan, then chairman of ISRO. When completed, the Indian space station will operate independently of the International Space Station (ISS) and will be smaller.

"We will launch a small module for microgravity experiments," Sivan said. "We have no plans to send humans to travel or other activities."