_BannerAD_234x60px.jpg)
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre to get “Third Launch Pad”
- Union Cabinet Clears ISRO’s Third Launch Pad for Next-Gen Missions
- India Invests ₹3984.86 Crore to Expand Space Exploration
New Delhi. 26 January 2025. In a significant step towards enhancing India’s space infrastructure, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The decision marked a crucial milestone in bolstering ISRO’s launch capabilities, particularly for Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and future human spaceflight missions. With the increasing demand for advanced launch infrastructure, the Third Launch Pad aimed to serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad (SLP) while also accommodating more frequent and heavier launches.
The Third Launch Pad project was conceptualized to expand ISRO’s launch capabilities, ensuring that future space missions, including human spaceflight programs, could be efficiently executed. The TLP’s universal and adaptable design was planned to support not only NGLVs but also LVM3 vehicles equipped with semi-cryogenic stages and scaled-up NGLV configurations. The project leveraged ISRO’s extensive experience in setting up previous launch pads while involving maximum industry participation to boost India’s indigenous space technology sector.
The launch pad was expected to be completed within 48 months (4 years), with an allocated budget of ₹3984.86 crore, covering both the launch pad infrastructure and the associated facilities. This initiative was projected to increase India’s launch frequencies, strengthen human spaceflight capabilities, and support deep-space exploration.
The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launchpad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
The Project is of national importance. The TLP is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semi cryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV. It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.
TLP is targeted to be established within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
The total fund requirement is Rs. 3984.86 Crore and includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities. The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight & space exploration missions.
As of today, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP). FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV. SLP was established primarily for GSLV & LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV. SLP has been operational for almost 20 years and 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 & 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.
The approval of ISRO’s Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota represents a strategic leap in India’s space infrastructure. It underscores India’s commitment to advancing indigenous space technologies, supporting next-generation rocket launches, and strengthening human spaceflight capabilities. By expanding launch capacity, boosting industry participation and preparing for deep-space exploration, this initiative set the stage for India’s continued leadership in global space missions. As India moved forward with its ambitious space exploration goals, the TLP project will emerge as a key enabler of the nation’s long-term space vision.
