SYLLABUS

GS-3: Awareness in the fields of Space.

Context: 

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology informed the Lok Sabha that India’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, is scheduled to be commissioned in FY 2026–27.

More on the News

• Minister informed the Lower House that the site development and land acquisition, except land for re-routing the east coast road, were complete.
• The construction work for the technical facilities was progressing at the site.
• A total of Rs 985.96 crore has been allocated in funds to the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport. Till July 31, Rs 389.58 crore has been utilised for the project. 

India’s Second Spaceport

• In February 2024, the Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone of the spaceport, which enjoys a geographical advantage along the coastal Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district.

• This new spaceport will be instrumental for carrying out the launches of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by ISRO.

• The SSLV missions are designed for launching small satellites (10–500 kg) into Low Earth Orbit at low cost with limited fuel use. 

• The upcoming Kulasekarapattinam spaceport will support this by providing a direct south-bound, shorter launch trajectory.

• The new spaceport will comprise 35 facilities, including

• a launchpad
• rocket integration units
• ground range and checkout systems
• a mobile launch structure (MLS) with a checkout computer.

• It will have the capacity to launch 24 satellites every year using a mobile launch structure.

• The Government has already announced the Indian Space Policy 2023, which provides for the utilisation of spaceports for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government Entities (NGEs), subject to technical feasibility and range safety constraints.

• At present, all space launches undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are realised from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, or SHAR, located at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

Significance of the Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport

• Enhanced Payload Capacity: Its coastal location enables direct southward launches into sun-synchronous polar orbits, avoiding fuel-draining manoeuvres and significantly improving payload efficiency.
• Boost to Small Satellite Market: It is dedicated to Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) and it strengthens India’s competitiveness in the fast-growing global small satellite sector.
• Private Sector Participation: It is aligned with the Indian Space Policy 2023, the facility will support launches by both ISRO and private companies, fostering a vibrant space ecosystem.
• Strategic Diversification: As India’s second spaceport, it reduces dependence on Sriharikota, expands national launch capacity and strengthens space infrastructure for future growth.

Source

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/isro-spaceport-kulasekarapattinam-2026-2027-dr-jitendra-singh-10201355/ https://www.indiantelevision.com/satellites/satellite-launches/india%27s-southern-spaceport-progressing%3B-to-take-aim-at-polar-satellites-250820 https://www.dtnext.in/news/national/commissioning-of-kulasekarapattinam-spaceport-targetted-for-fy-27-jitendra-singh-843966 https://www.isro.gov.in/Second_Spaceport_FoundationStone_Laid_Hon_PrimeMinister.html