Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the second spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district.
The new launch complex of the Indian space agency is worth around ₹986 crores and is set to accommodate 24 launches per year.
This ambitious project promises to enhance India's satellite launch capabilities, especially for small satellites, and marks a crucial moment in the country's space exploration journey.
The complex is reportedly spread over 2,233 acres of land covering Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi areas in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam.
ISRO's second spaceport will be operational in the next two years.
The new launch complex will complement ISRO's existing spaceport in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota and has been positioned strategically to offer the space agency geographical advantages, promising fuel savings and more efficient satellite launches, as per reports.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth around ₹17,300 crore in Thoothukudi.
He said that Tamil Nadu is writing a “new chapter of progress,” and added that due to the Centre's efforts, modern connectivity in the state is “on a new high”.
While addressing reporters, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said that the organisation has completed the land acquisition for the launch complex, adding that the Tamil Nadu government transferred the land to ISRO.
The construction of the launch complex is expected to be finished in the next two years, he added.
“This launch complex is built for launching SSLV type of rockets...small rockets which can be launched towards the south and we are hoping that the private rockets which are being built in this country will also come there for launches,” The Indian Express quoted Somanath as saying.
#WATCH | PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the ISRO's 2nd spaceport launch complex in Kulasekarapattinam | ISRO chief S Somanath says, " ...land acquisition has been completed, Tamil Nadu govt has transferred the land to us. Construction is about to start, it will take about… pic.twitter.com/9GOUChjYVk
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024
The ISRO Chairman added that at least 24 launches per year will be possible from the new launch complex.
“We are building facilities for preparation of the rocket, assembling and launching including the radar stations, ground network, safety... All of this will be taken care of,” he stated.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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