India's space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), is embarking on a significant expansion, aiming to have four operational launch pads by 2029. This ambitious plan, revealed by Chairman V Narayanan, underscores India's intent to capture a larger share of the global satellite launch market and will heavily involve increased participation from the country's private space sector.
Speaking at a recent graduation ceremony, Narayanan emphasized that while ISRO itself will not be privatized, the agency will actively collaborate with startups and private firms. This partnership model is crucial for handling the anticipated surge in commercial operations and meeting the demand for thousands of satellite launches globally.
New SSLV Complex at Kulasekarapattinam
A cornerstone of this expansion is the development of a dedicated 2,000-acre Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district. This facility is specifically designed to cater to the growing demand for small satellite deployments. The new spaceport will feature state-of-the-art integration buildings, multiple launch pads, dedicated rail-track systems, and advanced telemetry, tracking, and command systems. Details regarding the other three proposed launch pads were not immediately provided by Narayanan.
The ISRO chief reiterated that private sector involvement is paramount for the space sector's projected growth. He stated, "To handle this expanding ecosystem, ISRO will handhold startups and private enterprises, transferring technological expertise to foster economic growth and generate thousands of high-tech jobs."
Gaganyaan and Future Missions
Beyond infrastructure expansion, ISRO is also progressing with its human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. Narayanan confirmed that the first uncrewed Gaganyaan test is slated to occur within the next two months, with two additional uncrewed tests to follow. These critical precursor missions will evaluate environmental control, safety systems, crew escape mechanisms, and module interiors under various pressure, temperature, and humidity conditions. Approximately 8,000 ground-based experiments have already been conducted, and four astronaut-designates are currently undergoing specialized training.
Looking further ahead, ISRO is planning Chandrayaan-5, a joint lunar mission with Japan's space agency. This mission will deploy a 350-kilogram rover designed to conduct scientific experiments on the lunar surface for a period of 100 days.