PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SATELLITE LAUNCH FACILITIES IN INDIA
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SATELLITE LAUNCH FACILITIES IN INDIA
As of now, two launch pads i.e. First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP) are operational at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Srihari Kota, Andhra Pradesh. FLP caters to the launches of PSLV & SSLV and SLP caters to the launches of PSLV, GSLV & LVM3. Establishment of a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Srihari Kota has been approved by the Government of India in the year 2025 which will cater to the launch of Next Generation Launch vehicles of ISRO. TLP is targeted to be established by 2029-30 timeframe.
In order to carry out the launches of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle to Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) that is mostly preferred for Earth Observation, a second launch site i.e., SSLV Launch Complex (SLC) in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu is being established. The second launch site is expected to be commissioned during FY 2026-27 timeframe.
The funds sanctioned, released and utilized for establishment or expansion of launch pad and related facilities during the last five years is as in Annexure-I.
Three missions each of PSLV and SSLV, mostly earth observation satellites are planned to be launched from First Launch Pad (FLP) during 2026-27 timeframe. Two missions each of GSLV and LVM3, mostly for communication & navigation satellites are planned to be launched during 2026-27 timeframe.
The first developmental flight of NGLV from TLP is planned during 2031-32 timeframe. The launches of SSLV from the Second launch site at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu is expected during 2027-28 timeframe.
As of now, the Department of Space (DoS) has no proposal to establish any other launch site elsewhere in the country.
The Space sector reforms announced by the Government of India during June, 2020 permits end to end space activities including development of launch infrastructure. Following these Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was created in Department of Space for promoting, authorizing and overseeing the activities of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in Space sector. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted in development of launch infrastructure as notified by Gazette notification dated 16.04.2024 by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
IN-SPACe has brought out the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023 in respect of Authorization of Space Activities, which provides guidelines and criteria for authorization including accountability, national security, sustainable and safe space operations, and provides transparency and predictability to the non-government entities seeking authorization from IN-SPACe. Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure including regulatory safeguards to be followed in automatic as well as government routes for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in space sector are already issued by the Department.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
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NKR/G
Annexure-I
Financial year 2020-21 to 2022-23
(Rs. in crore)
Sl. No.
Name of Project
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
BE
RE
Actuals
BE
RE
Actuals
BE
RE
Actuals
1
Realization of Second Vehicle Assembly Building
1000.00
1000.00
999.94
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2
Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant
8000.00
5000.00
5499.88
8000.00
6500.00
6299.99
3500.00
3900.00
3899.98
3
PSLV Integration Facility
11000.00
6000.00
5499.70
8000.00
4500.00
3679.14
4000.00
4000.00
3246.07
4
Launch Pad for SSLV
10000.00
584.00
78.74
11700.00
15482.00
15549.63
10000.00
1000.00
1172.99
5
Third Launch Pad
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6
Augmentation of Infrastructure towards enhancement of launched capacity of LVM 3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Financial year 2023-24 to 2025-26
(Rs. in crore)
Sl. No.
Name of Project
2023-24
2024-25
2025-26
BE
RE
Actuals
BE
RE
Actuals
BE
RE
Actuals
(Feb 2026)
1
Realization of Second Vehicle Assembly Building
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2
Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant
2450.00
2450.00
2106.13
550.00
700.00
499.39
100.00
14.50
13.84
3
PSLV Integration Facility
4000.00
1500.00
711.41
2280.00
1700.00
930.91
100.00
7.00
5.31
4
Launch Pad for SSLV
10000.00
1000.00
36.78
10883.00
16270.00
13896.56
30000.00
230.00
148.65
5
Third Launch Pad
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
100.00
3.00
0.80
6
Augmentation of Infrastructure towards enhancement of launched capacity of LVM 3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2375.00
29.00
2.33