The Indian Space Research Organisation has the capabilities and the technological know-how required to set up a space station, organisation chief A S Kiran Kumar has said. Attending the foundation day ceremony of Raja Ramanna Center for Advanced Technology, he said that the country needs a long-term approach and an ambitious planning for the mission.

"We have all the capabilities to set up a space station. The day the country takes the decision, we will 'ok' the project. Just draw a policy and provide us necessary funds and time," Kumar was quoted by Times of India as saying.

This comes just days after India successfully placed 104 satellites into orbit using a single rocket. India also holds the record of being the only country in the world to have reached Mars in its first attempt.

Kumar said that the country is still discussing the benefits of a manned space station and that is the reason why the government has not decided to proceed with such a mission. He also said that a defined policy needs to be evolved before the country moves ahead in this direction. “The sooner the better,” he exclaimed.

“The day the country takes the decision, we will 'ok' the project. Just draw a policy and provide us necessary funds and time,” Kumar said.

By 2024, China may be the only country to have an active space station. The currently functional International Space Station (ISS), which is a joint project among five participating space agencies from different countries, is set to retire by 2024.