PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SATELLITE LAUNCH FACILITIES IN INDIA
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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Development of Satellite Launch Facilities in India
1. At a Glance
- India's orbital launches are conducted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, currently with two operational pads — FLP and SLP [S1].
- Government has approved a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Sriharikota in 2025 for Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and is constructing a second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to SSLV [S1][S2][S3].
- High-yield UPSC area: intersects GS-III (S&T, space), current affairs (Gaganyaan/NGLV), and federalism/economic geography (second spaceport in TN).
2. Why in the News
- 18 March 2026 PIB reply by Department of Space in Parliament on launch-pad development status [S1].
- Union Cabinet approval (2025) of the Third Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR with outlay ₹3,984.86 crore, 48-month timeline [S2].
- Ongoing construction of SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam, targeted to commission in FY 2026-27 [S3].
3. Background & Evolution
- 1971: Sriharikota selected as launch site; renamed Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in 2002.
- First Launch Pad (FLP) commissioned 1993 — services PSLV and SSLV [S1].
- Second Launch Pad (SLP) commissioned 2005 — services PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 [S1].
- 2023: Foundation/approval for SSLV-dedicated spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu [S3].
- 2025: Cabinet approval for Third Launch Pad (TLP) for NGLV, also as standby to SLP and enabler of human spaceflight (Gaganyaan follow-on) [S2].
4. Core Static Facts
- Nodal body: ISRO under Department of Space, directly under Prime Minister [S1].
- Operational pads at SDSC SHAR: FLP (PSLV, SSLV); SLP (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3) [S1].
- TLP outlay: ₹3,984.86 crore; duration 48 months; target completion 2029-30; supports NGLV, LVM3 with Semicryogenic stage, and scaled NGLV [S1][S2].
- SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam (Tuticorin Dt., TN): allocation ₹985.96 crore, ₹389.58 crore utilised; commissioning target FY 2026-27 [S3].
- SLC payload: ~300 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) via SSLV [S3].
- Geographic rationale: Kulasekarapattinam enables direct southward launches to SSPO without dog-leg manoeuvre needed from Sriharikota (avoiding Sri Lanka overflight) [S3].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Scientific / Technological - TLP designed as universal/adaptable pad usable by NGLV, LVM3-SC, and scaled NGLV — supports reusable, semi-cryogenic and human-rated vehicles [S2]. - SLC at Kulasekarapattinam is purpose-built for small-sat commercial launches and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) under IN-SPACe regime [S3].
Economic - Combined committed outlay ~₹4,970 crore (TLP + SLC) signals scale-up for commercial small-sat market [S2][S3]. - Enables ISRO/NSIL & private players to capture share of global small-sat launch market; supports Indian Space Policy 2023 targets.
Strategic - Second spaceport reduces single-point dependence on Sriharikota — resilience against cyclones (e.g., Cyclone Michaung 2023) and operational congestion. - Human spaceflight (Gaganyaan, BAS-Bharatiya Antariksh Station) requires the redundancy TLP provides as standby to SLP [S2].
Administrative / Federal - Centre-led under Union List (Space); TN govt facilitated land acquisition at Kulasekarapattinam; East-Coast Road rerouting pending [S3].
Environmental - East-coast siting leverages eastward Earth rotation; Kulasekarapattinam acquisition required CRZ clearance and re-routing of road for ecological-corridor concerns [S3].
6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)
- 2025: Cabinet approval of TLP at SHAR, ₹3,984.86 cr [S2].
- 2024: Foundation stone laid for SSLV Launch Complex pad at Kulasekarapattinam [S3].
- 18 Mar 2026: PIB Parliament reply detailing pad status [S1].
- FY 2026-27: targeted commissioning of Kulasekarapattinam SLC [S3].
- 2029-30: targeted commissioning of TLP at SHAR [S1].
7. Prelims Hooks
- SDSC SHAR is located in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh [S1].
- FLP launches PSLV & SSLV; SLP launches PSLV, GSLV & LVM3 [S1].
- Third Launch Pad approved in 2025, outlay ₹3,984.86 crore, target 2029-30 [S1][S2].
- TLP will primarily support NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) [S1].
- Second Indian spaceport: Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu [S3].
- Kulasekarapattinam SLC payload to SSPO ≈ 300 kg via SSLV [S3].
- SLC funds allocated: ₹985.96 crore; utilised: ₹389.58 crore [S3].
- SLC commissioning target: FY 2026-27 [S3].
- TLP will also serve as standby for SLP and support human spaceflight missions [S2].
- TLP supports LVM3 with Semicryogenic stage [S2].
- Department of Space functions under the Prime Minister (no separate Cabinet Minister) [S1].
- Kulasekarapattinam advantage: direct polar/SSO launches without Sri-Lanka overflight dog-leg [S3].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III: "Awareness in Space" / Indigenisation & developing new technology.
- GS-II: Government policies (Space Sector Reforms, IN-SPACe).
- Probable question stems:
- "Discuss the strategic and economic rationale for India's second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam." (15 marks)
- "Examine how the Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota will enable India's human spaceflight ambitions." (10 marks)
- "Critically assess India's launch-vehicle infrastructure in light of the growing commercial small-satellite market." (15 marks)
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Indian Space Policy 2023 — regulatory umbrella for private participation.
- IN-SPACe & NSIL — authorising and commercial arms.
- NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle / Soorya) — vehicle the TLP supports.
- Gaganyaan & Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) — driver for TLP redundancy.
- SSLV — small-sat workhorse for which Kulasekarapattinam exists.
- PSLV/GSLV/LVM3 — current operational vehicles per pad.
- Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) — orbit type favoured for Earth observation.
- Space Sector FDI Policy 2024 — links commercial demand with new pads.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- FLP ≠ GSLV: FLP does not support GSLV/LVM3; only SLP does [S1].
- Kulasekarapattinam is in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district, not Kanyakumari or Tirunelveli [S3].
- TLP outlay is ₹3,984.86 cr (often misquoted as ₹4,000 cr round figure) [S2].
- SDSC SHAR is in Andhra Pradesh, not Tamil Nadu — only the second spaceport is in TN.
- Department of Space is directly under PM, not under Ministry of Science & Technology.
11. Sources
- [S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Development of Satellite Launch Facilities in India — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2241772 — (tier: 1)
- [S2] Cabinet approves the establishment of "Third Launch Pad" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2093358 — (tier: 1)
- [S3] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2158404 — (tier: 1)