Guwahati: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The total fund required for setting up the TLP is Rs. 3984.86 crore, including the Launch Pad and associated facilities.
The project is set to boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight and space exploration missions.
The TLP intends to establish a launch infrastructure for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicles and serve as a standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad. The project is of national standing and aims to improve the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
The TLP is designed to be universal and adaptable, supporting not only Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) but also LVM3 vehicles with semi-cryogenic stages and scaled-up configurations of NGLV. It will be realized with maximum industry participation, utilizing ISRO's experience in establishing earlier launch pads and sharing existing launch complex facilities. The project is expected to be established within 48 months or 4 years.
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The Indian Space Programme, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040, requires a new generation of heavier launch vehicles with new propulsion systems that cannot be met by existing launch pads.
Establishing a Third Launch Pad to cater to a heavier class of Next Generation Launch Vehicles and serve as a standby for SLP is crucial for meeting evolving space transportation requirements for another 25-30 years.
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