India to build 3rd rocket launchpad at Sriharikota at cost of $460mn

The Indian Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (January 15) approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at ISRO’s spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Government envisages the construction of the TLP and related facilities at a cost of Rs. 3985 crore (approx. $460 million) within a span of four years.

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At present, the Indian spaceport at Sriharikota is equipped with two launchpads. The first launchpad is meant for smaller rockets such as the PSLV and SSLV, and the GSLV Mk2, while the second launchpad is capable of launching all rockets right from the smallest SSLV to the largest LVM3. However, the first launchpad has served for more than 30 years, whereas the second launchpad has served for more than 20 years.

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The Third Launch Pad project is meant to enable the launch of Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) of ISRO and also to support as a standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.

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The TLP will support the more capable semi-cryogenic engine variant of the LVM3 rocket and also the scaled-up version of India’s proposed NGLV rocket. The new launch pad will be built with maximum industry participation, fully utilising ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.

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The TLP project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight and space exploration missions such as regular missions to the proposed Indian space station and manned missions to the moon.