ISRO Targets Four Active Launch Sites by 2029

• 26 Oct 2026

On October 24, 2026, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced plans to establish four active space launch sites in India by 2029 during a convocation ceremony near Chennai.

Key Highlights

• Expanding Launch Capacity: ISRO's expansion plan includes a new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu and a third launch pad at Sriharikota to boost overall satellite launch capabilities.
• Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport: Spanning roughly 2,000 acres in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, this facility will be dedicated exclusively to the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
• Modern Infrastructure: The new facility will include vehicle assembly buildings, launch pads, rail-track integration systems, and advanced telemetry, tracking, and command setups.
• Chandrayaan-5 Mission: A joint mission proposed with Japan's space agency, JAXA, featuring a 350 kg rover designed to conduct scientific experiments on the lunar surface for approximately 100 days.
• Private Sector Collaboration: ISRO will not be privatized; however, technical support and infrastructure access will be extended to private companies and defense/space startups to meet growing satellite demand.