ISRO building new Earth station in Jamkhambhaliya; SAC Ahmedabad reveals key details

India continues to accelerate its ambitions in space science and technology, with ISRO advancing at rocket speed on multiple fronts. As Gujarat rolls out its new Space Technology Policy, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun developing a major Earth Station in Jamkhambhaliya, spread across 25 acres and costing over ₹100 crore.

Speaking exclusively to Gujarat Samachar Digital, Nilesh M Desai, Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, shared detailed insights into the upcoming facility and ongoing satellite projects.

21 advanced satellites under development at SAC Ahmedabad

According to Desai, the Government of India has approved 52 satellites to strengthen national security over the next four years. Of these, ISRO is currently building 21 highly complex satellites equipped with advanced remote sensing systems, cameras and radar technology.

Another 31 relatively simpler satellites are being manufactured by private-sector companies.

ISRO’s GISAT-1A satellite has also been fully developed and is awaiting launch once a GSLV vehicle becomes available. Positioned at an altitude of 36,000 km, the satellite will capture continuous images of Earth and provide vital meteorological and environmental data.

ISRO is simultaneously working on 13 camera-based satellites and 7 radar satellites, with a four-year deadline — six months of which have already passed.

Earth Station under construction in Jamkhambhaliya

To operate and utilise these satellites after launch, ISRO is building a state-of-the-art Earth Station (ground centre) on Gujarat’s coastline at Jamkhambhaliya. The Centre has allotted 25 acres for the project, which is expected to be completed within 3–4 years.

Currently, soil testing and preliminary site work are under way, following which civil, mechanical and electrical construction phases will begin.

What will the Earth Station be used for?

The new Earth Station will play a crucial role in receiving and processing satellite data related to:

• Weather monitoring
• National security
• Agriculture and crop forecasting
• Remote sensing applications
• Disaster management and environmental tracking

Once operational, the Jamkhambhaliya Earth Station will significantly strengthen India’s satellite communication infrastructure, expanding the country’s capability to monitor, analyse and respond to real-time information from space.