5 February 2026·PIB

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: THIRD LAUNCH PAD (TLP) AT SATISH DHAWAN SPACE CENTRE

In this note

1. At a Glance

Third Launch Pad (TLP) is ISRO's upcoming launch complex at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, sanctioned to host the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and to serve as standby for the Second Launch Pad [1][2].
Critical enabler of Gaganyaan follow-on human spaceflight, Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) logistics, and heavy-lift commercial launches — hence high salience for GS-III (Sci-Tech) [1].
Budget outlay ₹3,984.86 crore; 4-year completion timeline from sanction [1][2].

5 February 2026: Department of Space's Lok Sabha reply detailed project status — geo-technical & topography survey completed in Q3 2025, two tenders floated, civil works (approach roads, temporary power supply) under way; planned Project Date of Completion (PDC): March 2029 [3].
Follows Union Cabinet financial approval on 21 March 2025 chaired by PM Modi [1][3].

SDSC-SHAR established 1971 at Sriharikota; named after Satish Dhawan in 2002.
First Launch Pad (FLP): operational since 1993 (PSLV, GSLV) [4].
Second Launch Pad (SLP): commissioned 2005 (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3; used for Chandrayaan-2/3, Gaganyaan) [4].
Existing pads cannot accommodate NGLV (~90 m tall, ~1,000 tonne lift-off mass) — driving need for TLP [2].
Cabinet approval: announced via PIB on cabinet decision; financial sanction 21 March 2025 [1][3].

Implementing body: ISRO / Department of Space, Government of India [1][3].
Location: SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh [1].
Budget outlay: ₹3,984.86 crore [1].
Timeline: 4 years from sanction; PDC March 2029 [1][3].
Primary vehicle: NGLV (~90 m, ~1,000 t lift-off mass); also LVM3 with semi-cryogenic stage and scaled-up NGLV variants [2].
Role: dedicated NGLV pad + standby for SLP + supports human spaceflight missions [1].
Pending milestones (per Feb 2026 reply): propellant storage & servicing systems, mobile launch pedestal, lightning protection towers, rail tracks to vehicle integration buildings, Jet Deflection Duct [3].
Industry participation: private industries & MSMEs to bid; Make-in-India preference under DoS procurement norms [1].

Scientific / Technological

Universal, adaptable pad architecture — supports multiple vehicle classes, reducing future infrastructure cost [2].
Enables semi-cryogenic stage (LOX–kerosene) testing on LVM3, a tech jump from current cryogenics [2].
Compatible with reusable-stage operations envisaged for NGLV [2].

Economic

₹3,984.86 cr capex injects demand into Indian aerospace MSMEs; aligns with ₹1,000 cr IN-SPACe Venture Capital Fund ecosystem play [1].
Boosts India's share in the global commercial launch market via heavy-lift capability [1].

Strategic

Pre-requisite for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (target 2035) and crewed lunar mission (target 2040) announced under Amrit Kaal space vision [1].
Redundancy: TLP as standby for SLP de-risks Gaganyaan crewed flights [1].

Administrative / Governance

21 March 2025: Union Cabinet financial sanction of ₹3,984.86 cr [1][3].
Q3 2025: Geo-technical investigation and topography survey completed [3].
By Feb 2026: Two tenders floated; civil works (approach roads, temporary power) in progress [3].
Planned PDC: March 2029 [3].

TLP location: Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (SDSC-SHAR) — NOT Thumba or VSSC [1].
Budget outlay: ₹3,984.86 crore [1].
Approving authority: Union Cabinet (Cabinet Committee on Security not required) [1].
Financial sanction date: 21 March 2025 [3].
Planned completion: March 2029 (4-year timeline) [1][3].
Primary vehicle TLP supports: Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) [1].
NGLV approximate height: ~90 m; lift-off mass ~1,000 tonnes [2].
TLP also configured for LVM3 with semi-cryogenic stage [2].
TLP doubles as standby for the Second Launch Pad [1].
Implementing department: Department of Space (under PMO) [3].
Pending milestone includes a Jet Deflection Duct [3].
MSMEs and private industry invited to tenders [1][3].
FLP operational since 1993; SLP since 2005 [4].

GS-III: "Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Awareness in space."
Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss how the Third Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR is critical to India's human spaceflight and heavy-lift ambitions in the Amrit Kaal." (15 marks) 2. "Evaluate the role of private industry and MSMEs in India's space infrastructure build-out, with reference to recent ISRO projects." (10 marks) 3. "Examine the technological leap represented by the NGLV and the corresponding launch-pad infrastructure requirements." (15 marks)

NGLV (Soorya) — vehicle the TLP is built for.
Gaganyaan & Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035) — uses TLP for crewed/heavy missions.
IN-SPACe & Indian Space Policy 2023 — governance frame enabling private participation.
LVM3 with Semi-Cryogenic Stage (SC120 / SCE-200 engine) — supported by TLP.
SDSC-SHAR FLP & SLP — comparative infrastructure context.
Chandrayaan-3 & Aditya-L1 — prior SLP-launched flagship missions.
PSLV/SSLV commercialization (NSIL) — commercial launch ecosystem.
Sriharikota geography (Pulicat Lake, equatorial advantage) — siting rationale.

Confusing TLP location (Sriharikota) with Kulasekarapattinam (Tamil Nadu) SSLV spaceport — these are distinct projects [1].
Mistaking the approving authority — it is the Union Cabinet, not the Space Commission or CCS [1].
Mis-stating the budget — correct figure is ₹3,984.86 crore, not ₹4,000 cr "Cabinet round number" assumptions [1].
Assuming TLP is only for NGLV — it also supports LVM3 semi-cryogenic and acts as SLP standby [1][2].
Confusing PDC March 2029 with the sanction date March 2025 [3].