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 [1].
• 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 [1][2][3].
• 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 [1].
• Union Cabinet approval (2025) of the Third Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR with outlay ₹3,984.86 crore, 48-month timeline [2].
• Ongoing construction of SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam, targeted to commission in FY 2026-27 [3].

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 [1].
• Second Launch Pad (SLP) commissioned 2005 — services PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 [1].
• 2023: Foundation/approval for SSLV-dedicated spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu [3].
• 2025: Cabinet approval for Third Launch Pad (TLP) for NGLV, also as standby to SLP and enabler of human spaceflight (Gaganyaan follow-on) [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal body: ISRO under Department of Space, directly under Prime Minister [1].
• Operational pads at SDSC SHAR: FLP (PSLV, SSLV); SLP (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3) [1].
• TLP outlay: ₹3,984.86 crore; duration 48 months; target completion 2029-30; supports NGLV, LVM3 with Semicryogenic stage, and scaled NGLV [1][2].
• SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam (Tuticorin Dt., TN): allocation ₹985.96 crore, ₹389.58 crore utilised; commissioning target FY 2026-27 [3].
• SLC payload: ~300 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) via SSLV [3].
• Geographic rationale: Kulasekarapattinam enables direct southward launches to SSPO without dog-leg manoeuvre needed from Sriharikota (avoiding Sri Lanka overflight) [3].

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 [2].
• SLC at Kulasekarapattinam is purpose-built for small-sat commercial launches and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) under IN-SPACe regime [3].

Economic

• Combined committed outlay ~₹4,970 crore (TLP + SLC) signals scale-up for commercial small-sat market [2][3].
• 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 [2].

Administrative / Federal

• Centre-led under Union List (Space); TN govt facilitated land acquisition at Kulasekarapattinam; East-Coast Road rerouting pending [3].

Environmental

• East-coast siting leverages eastward Earth rotation; Kulasekarapattinam acquisition required CRZ clearance and re-routing of road for ecological-corridor concerns [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 2025: Cabinet approval of TLP at SHAR, ₹3,984.86 cr [2].
• 2024: Foundation stone laid for SSLV Launch Complex pad at Kulasekarapattinam [3].
• 18 Mar 2026: PIB Parliament reply detailing pad status [1].
• FY 2026-27: targeted commissioning of Kulasekarapattinam SLC [3].
• 2029-30: targeted commissioning of TLP at SHAR [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• SDSC SHAR is located in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh [1].
• FLP launches PSLV & SSLV; SLP launches PSLV, GSLV & LVM3 [1].
• Third Launch Pad approved in 2025, outlay ₹3,984.86 crore, target 2029-30 [1][2].
• TLP will primarily support NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) [1].
• Second Indian spaceport: Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu [3].
• Kulasekarapattinam SLC payload to SSPO ≈ 300 kg via SSLV [3].
• SLC funds allocated: ₹985.96 crore; utilised: ₹389.58 crore [3].
• SLC commissioning target: FY 2026-27 [3].
• TLP will also serve as standby for SLP and support human spaceflight missions [2].
• TLP supports LVM3 with Semicryogenic stage [2].
• Department of Space functions under the Prime Minister (no separate Cabinet Minister) [1].
• Kulasekarapattinam advantage: direct polar/SSO launches without Sri-Lanka overflight dog-leg [3].

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 [1].
• Kulasekarapattinam is in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district, not Kanyakumari or Tirunelveli [3].
• TLP outlay is ₹3,984.86 cr (often misquoted as ₹4,000 cr round figure) [2].
• 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.