Countdown begins for ISRO’s second launchpad in Tamil Nadu

ISRO currently launches its satellites from Sriharikota in Andhra’s Nellore

Updated: Jan 10th, 2024

ISRO chief S Somanath | Image: IANS

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to get another launchpad, apart from the existing one in Sriharikota since its inception in 1969, and this time, Tamil Nadu is chosen as the location.

ISRO chief, S Somanath revealed the plans to build a second launch pad, albeit for smaller satellites and small rockets, will be built in the villages of Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi, spanning across 2,300 acres of land, in the Kulasekarapattinam taluk of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government has acquired 2,200 acres of land out of 2,300 acres already, by allocation ₹950 crores.

The space agency chief clarified that the current launch pad of Sriharikota will not be shifted to Kulasekarapattinam, rather, the newer launch pad will act as a secondary launch pad for the smaller launches.

The Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre is situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore.

The new launch pad will help ISRO save fuel on its missions. The satellites launched from the current launch pad at Sriharikota have to travel Southeast to avoid Sri Lanka skies, whereas the ones launched from the new launch pad could travel directly south, shrinking the orbit travel and saving valuable fuel.

Moreover, with the expansion of private companies in space exploration, the second launch pad will help ISRO launch small satellites and rockets from the Kulasekarapattinam launch pad.

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