The Union Cabinet, on January 16, 2025, approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This initiative is a significant step in advancing India’s space exploration and launch capabilities.
Key Highlights:
- Third Launch Pad (TLP):
- Designed to support Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLVs) and serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad (SLP).
- Supports future Indian human spaceflight missions, including Gaganyaan and deep-space exploration.
- Capable of handling LVM3 vehicles with semi-cryogenic stages and scaled-up configurations of NGLVs.
- Realized with maximum industry participation, leveraging ISRO’s expertise in existing launch pad infrastructure.
- Existing Launch Infrastructure at Sriharikota:
- First Launch Pad (FLP):
- Operational for 30 years.
- Primarily used for PSLV and SSLV missions.
- Second Launch Pad (SLP):
- Active for nearly 20 years.
- Supports GSLV and LVM3 missions and serves as a backup for PSLV.
- Played a crucial role in missions like Chandrayaan-3 and is being prepared for human-rated LVM3 launches for Gaganyaan.
- First Launch Pad (FLP):
- About Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV):
- Known as the Soorya Rocket, it is a new-generation modular rocket under development.
- Approved by the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024.
- Development timeline: 96 months (8 years), with expected completion by 2032.
- Height: 93 meters.
- Designed for bulk manufacturing and modularity.
- Uses semi-cryogenic propulsion: refined kerosene as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer.
- Key Missions:
- Support for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (space station by 2035).
- Crewed lunar landing by 2040.
- Launching satellites, deep-space exploration, and cargo transport.
- India’s Current Launch Vehicles:
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
- Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (LVM3)
