Source: IT
Context: The Department of Space announced that India’s third satellite launch pad at Sriharikota will be fully operational by March 2029.
About India’s 3rd Launch Pad in Sriharikota by 2029:
- What It Is?
-
- A new Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- Designed for next-generation rockets and to enhance India’s launch capacity for heavy-lift and human spaceflight missions.
- Objectives:
-
- Support NGLV Operations – Provide infrastructure for the 91m-tall Next Generation Launch Vehicle.
- Backup for LVM3 – Prevent launch disruptions in case of single-pad failure.
- Enable Human Spaceflight – Critical for Gaganyaan and future astronaut missions.
- Support Deep Space Goals – Facilitate lunar landings, space station assembly, and interplanetary missions.
- Key Features:
-
- Completion Timeline – Civil works by May 2028, fluid and propellant systems by July 2028, launch systems by Sept 2028, and commissioning in March 2029.
- Advanced Propellant Systems – Designed for cryogenic and semi-cryogenic fuels with high thrust.
- Make in India Push – Involvement of private players and MSMEs in infrastructure development.
- Increased Height & Capacity – NGLV twice the height of LVM3 with higher thrust and new jet deflection systems.
- Multiple Work Packages – Modular construction approach for efficiency.
- Significance:
-
- Strategic Redundancy – Eliminates risk of mission delays from single-pad dependency.
- Future-Proof Infrastructure – Built for next-gen rockets, advanced fuels, and higher payload capacities.
- Boost to Space Economy – Supports commercial launches, Make in India, and private sector participation.
