New Delhi: In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for ISRO’s second launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu.
The first work package commenced in March this year, with the construction of the construction of the Launch Service Building (LSB) along with the Upper Stage Assembly Facilities (UAF-I and UAF-II). The facilities have been designed specifically to integrate and launch the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), the newest and smallest rocket in ISRO’s fleet, developed rapidly to cater to the burgeoning demand for deploying microsatellites and nanosatellites. Apart from the SSLV, there are a number of private launch vehicles that will also be able to fly from the new launchpad.
The Minister of State for Space, Jitendra Singh has now provided additional details on the Kulasekarapattinam by responding to question posed in the Lok Sabha. All the land necessary for the spaceport has been acquired, except for the land for rerouting a road. The site development work has completed, and at different work centres, the equipment and structures necessary are being fabricated. ISRO is targeting the 2025-27 financial year for commissioning the spaceport. About Rs 986 crore have been allocated for the construction of the spaceport, out of which Rs 390 crore has been used so far.
Advantages of the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport
There are two launch pads at ISRO, with the facilities designed for the larger and heavier rockets. The Kulasekarapattinam launch site will enhance the payload capability for the SSLV to launch satellites in polar orbits. Launches to the Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) from Sriharikota have to be carefully planned, with the launch vehicle needing to manoeuvre away from landmasses, to prevent the spent stages from falling on areas where humans are living. The manoeuvring capability reduces the payload capability. 300 kg satellites can be launched from Kulasekarapattinam, while Sriharikota does not allow for a useful payload to be launched into this orbit.
