Govt to set up new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam

Govt to set up new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam

Government is planning to set up a new rocket launch pad in Tamil Nadu. At present, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has two launch pads at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This development comes on the backdrop of increasing launches from India, both for domestic and international customers.

Key Points:

• This would be set up in Kulasekarapattinam in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• The new launch pad is intended to be used for future Indian rockets like the Unified Modular Launch Vehicle, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III and Avatar RLV (Avatar Reusable Launch Vehicle), small satellite launch vehicle, as well as the older ones like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
• The number of launches every year by the space agency has increased over 30. In 2018, the space agency launched 17 missions.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR spaceport at Sriharikota is responsible for the integration of launchers. This houses two operational launch pads from where all the PSLV and GSLV flights will take place. 
• ISRO has actually launched most of its customer satellites with its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). 
• From the year 1994 to 2015, PSLV has launched as many as 84 satellites, out of which 51 were for the international customers, according to the agency. 
• ISRO is developing its next variant of GSLV which is GSLV Mk III, with its indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine and stage which have the capacity of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites.
• ISRO is also working on small rockets to carry small satellites.