Cabinet clears Rs 3.9K cr plan for third launch pad at Sriharikota centre

The Third Launch Pad project envisages the creation of launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV)

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the construction of a third launch pad (TLP) at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro’s) space centre in Sriharikota with an investment of Rs 3,984 crore.

 

Once up and running, this new launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) will be used for Isro’s Next Generation Launch Vehicles and will also support as standby launch pad for the second launch pad, according to a government statement.

 

TLP, which is likely to be ready in four years, will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.

 

It is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible. It can support not only the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is a heavy-lift vehicle and partially reusable, but also Isro’s medium-lift launch vehicle Launch Vehicle Mark-3.

 

It will be realised with maximum industry participation, fully utilising Isro’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities, the statement said.

 

Currently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP). FLP was built 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV. It was established primarily for GSLV and LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV.

 

Operational for almost 20 years, SLP has enhanced the launch capacity towards enabling some commercial missions of PSLV/LVM3 along with the national missions including the Chandrayaan-3 mission. SLP is also getting ready to launch the human rated LVM3 for the Gaganyaan missions.

 

The expanded vision of Indian Space Programme during the Amrit Kaal -- including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040 -- requires a new generation of heavier launch vehicles with new propulsion systems, which cannot be met by the existing launch pads.

 

The expeditious establishment of a Third Launch Pad to cater to a heavier class of Next Generation Launch Vehicles and as a stand by for SLP is highly essential so as to meet the evolving space transportation requirements for another 25-30 years.