Tamil Nadu is on track to become India’s key space hub, as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun construction of a second rocket launch site at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district. The new facility will primarily support the launch of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), capable of carrying payloads up to 500 kg.
Strategic Location and Cost Benefits
The Kulasekarapattinam rocket port, estimated to cost Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion), will be spread over 2,300 acres. It is expected to be operational by next year and will cater to private rocket manufacturers alongside ISRO’s missions. The location is ideal for launching rockets southward, making it easier to place satellites in polar orbit. Additionally, launching from this site will reduce fuel consumption, as rockets will follow a direct trajectory without the need to avoid Sri Lanka, as required when launching from Sriharikota. Lower fuel usage translates to increased payload capacity.
Tamil Nadu’s Emerging Role in the Space Sector
Tamil Nadu already plays a significant role in India’s space industry. ISRO’s propulsion centre at Mahendragiri sources components from industries in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Salem. Private players like Agnikul Cosmos have also entered the space sector, while companies like Larsen & Toubro and Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd manufacture aerospace components. The state also has a strong vendor base for chemicals and fabrication needed for solid-fuel rocket engines.
TIDCO’s Space Industry Push
The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has announced plans to establish a space industrial park in Tuticorin, along with aerospace and defense parks in other parts of the state. Additionally, TIDCO has signed an MoU with the private space sector regulator, IN-SPACe, to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s role in space exploration and satellite launches.
ISRO’s Expansion at Sriharikota
Alongside the new Kulasekarapattinam facility, ISRO is also expanding its infrastructure at Sriharikota by constructing a third launch pad. This Rs 3,984.86 crore (Rs 39.84 billion) facility will support the launch of Sooriya, ISRO’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, and serve as a backup launch pad. The expansion is aimed at future human spaceflight missions and is expected to be completed within four years.
India’s Long-Term Space Vision
India’s space ambitions extend beyond satellite launches. By 2035, ISRO plans to establish the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, India’s own space station, followed by a crewed lunar landing by 2040. These missions will require new-generation heavy-lift rockets and advanced propulsion systems, necessitating additional launch facilities. The third launch pad at Sriharikota will be crucial for India’s space programs over the next 25-30 years.
Strengthening India’s Space Capabilities
Currently, Sriharikota houses two launch pads, one used for PSLV and SSLV rockets, and the other for PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 launches. As major spacefaring nations operate multiple launch sites, Tamil Nadu’s new rocket port, along with Sriharikota’s expansion, will significantly boost India’s space capabilities and strengthen its position in global space exploration.
