Third launchpad at Satish Dhawan Space Center

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

About launchpad

• It refers to a platform or area used to launch rockets or other vehicles into space.
• Currently, India relies on two launch pads: First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP).
  • FLP has been operational for 30 years, supporting PSLV and SSLV.
  • SLP, operational for 20 years, primarily supports GSLV and LVM3, and is preparing for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

Third Launch Pad (TLP)

• TLP will be designed to support Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV), LVM3 vehicles with Semi-cryogenic stages, and scaled-up NGLV configurations.
• It will involve significant industry participation and utilize ISRO’s experience from earlier launch pad establishments. The facilities at the existing launch complex will be shared to maximize efficiency.
• Target : The project is targeted to be completed within 48 months (4 years).
• Expenditure: The total fund requirement is Rs. 3984.86 Crore for the establishment of the TLP and associated facilities.

Benefits

• The project will benefit the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and supporting human spaceflight and space exploration missions.
• It will act as a standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Sriharikota.
• It will enhance launch capacity for future human spaceflight missions.

Future Vision

• The expanded vision of the Indian Space Programme includes the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040.
  • New, heavier launch vehicles with advanced propulsion systems are required, which cannot be supported by the existing launch pads.
• Establishing the Third Launch Pad is essential to meet future space transportation needs for the next 25-30 years.