NEW DELHI: In a bid to boost further India’s space exploration programs, the Union Cabinet today, January 16,  approved the construction of a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Shriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This new facility is expected to significantly expand the capabilities of SDSC, which currently operates two active launch pads.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been ramping up its space missions, and the third launch pad will play a crucial role in supporting its growing ambitions. With this addition, SDSC’s capacity to handle multiple launches will increase, allowing ISRO to execute more complex missions.

India's space agency, ISRO, is building a new facility that will play a critical role in supporting its future space missions. One of the key projects this facility will support is the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) program.

What is the NGLV program?

NGLV program is an initiative by ISRO to develop a new, advanced rocket that can launch satellites, spacecraft, and other payloads into space. This new rocket is also known as the Soorya Rocket.

What's the ultimate goal of the NGLV program?

The NGLV will help India achieve some ambitious space goals. For instance, it will enable the country to establish its own space station, called the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. Additionally, the NGLV will play a crucial role in landing an Indian crew on the moon by 2040. It will also be used to launch communication satellites, explore deep space, and transport cargo.

ISRO achieved another milestone SpaDeX

On the same day, ISRO achieved another milestone by successfully demonstrating satellite docking as part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). This achievement places India among an elite group of nations alongside the US, Russia, and China - that have mastered this advanced technology. According to ISRO, the docking of two satellites, controlled as a single entity after the process, was successfully carried out. Tests for undocking and power transfer are scheduled to follow.

\The SpaDeX mission involved two 220-kg satellites, named SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), which were placed in a 475-km orbit. This mission was designed to demonstrate cost-effective in-space docking, a critical technology for executing complex and multi-phase space missions.

The approval for the third launch pad had been under consideration for the past three months. The decision was influenced by the increasing need to mitigate risks to existing facilities and to accommodate advancements in technology. This new infrastructure will act as a backup for current facilities and will also support ISRO’s ambitious plans, such as the New Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) program.

The second launch pad, initially built for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), has already been upgraded to handle the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with its cryogenic stage. The third launch pad, however, will feature cutting-edge design elements to cater to ISRO’s future launch vehicle technologies.

One of the key innovations in the third launch pad is its horizontal integration system for the NGLV, which will then be tilted for launch. This approach requires a specially designed launch pad and a reimagined jet deflector system to handle the increased demands of new liquid engine boosters.

Another highlight of the third launch pad will be its capability to perform entire-stage testing on-site, eliminating the need for separate testing at ISRO’s Mahendragiri facility. This integrated approach is expected to streamline ISRO’s pre-launch processes, saving both time and resources.

The project has already received the green light from the National Space Commission during its 153rd meeting. Alongside this, other major projects such as the Venus mission, Chandrayaan-4, and the first module of India’s space station have also been approved, marking a new chapter in India’s space journey.