Union Cabinet Approves Third Launch Pad for ISRO

• 17 Jan 2025

On 16th January 2205, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a Third Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, to bolster ISRO's capacity for next-generation launch vehicles and human spaceflight missions.

Key Points

• Establishment of Third Launch Pad (TLP): The Union Cabinet approved a Rs. 3984.86 crore project to build a Third Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh, to support ISRO's next-gen launch vehicles and human spaceflight missions.
• Support for NGLV and LVM3: The TLP will accommodate Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and upgraded LVM3 rockets, including semi-cryogenic stages, ensuring scalability and flexibility for future missions.
• Enhanced Space Ecosystem: The TLP will enable higher launch frequencies, supporting ISRO’s ambitious goals, including the Indian Space Station by 2035 and a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
• Backup Capability: Designed as a backup to the Second Launch Pad (SLP), the TLP will enhance operational reliability for critical missions.
• Timeline and Industry Participation: The project will take four years to complete, leveraging substantial industry involvement and ISRO’s expertise in infrastructure development.
• Current Launch Infrastructure: The TLP will complement the First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP), which have supported key missions like Chandrayaan-3 and commercial launches for decades.