New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota) in Andhra Pradesh with a projected cost of Rs 3,984.86 crore.
The Third Launch Pad is targeted to be established within a period of 48 months.
The total cost includes the establishment of the launch pad and the associated facilities. The project will boost the Indian space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight and space exploration missions.
“The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation launch vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions,” an official statement said.
The statement said that the Third Launch Pad is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV.
“It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities,” the statement said.
As on today, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP). The FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV and SSLV. The SLP was established primarily for GSLV & LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV.
The SLP has been operational for almost 20 years and has enhanced the launch capacity towards enabling some commercial missions of PSLV/LVM3 along with the national missions including the Chandrayaan-3 mission. SLP is also getting ready to launch the human rated LVM3 for the Gaganyaan missions.
“The expeditious establishment of a Third Launch Pad to cater to a heavier class of Next Generation Launch Vehicles and as a stand by for SLP is highly essential so as to meet the evolving space transportation requirements for another 25-30 years,” the statement said.
