There are already two launch pads on the spindle-shaped island of Sriharikota, which is located on the Bay of Bengal coast about 100 kilometres north of Chennai. In four years, the third launch pad will be completed.
With the construction of a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to further expand its launch capabilities. With an estimated ₹3,985 crore investment, this project was approved by the Union Cabinet on January 16, 2025, and it will support ISRO’s upcoming missions, such as the next generation of launch vehicles and human spaceflight.
The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is anticipated to replace several current launch systems with improved features like modularity and reusability, is the type of larger rocket that the Third Launch Pad (TLP) is built to handle. In order to provide redundancy for important missions like India’s manned spaceflight program Gaganyaan, it will also act as a backup for the current launch pads.
It is projected that the project will be finished in four years, or 48 months. This schedule is in accordance with ISRO’s overarching objectives of expanding its space exploration activities and guaranteeing preparedness for upcoming space transportation demands.
A jet deflector, a launch tower, and sophisticated propellant storage systems for liquid methane and cryogenic fuels are among the necessary amenities that the new launch pad will have. These improvements are essential for meeting the expanding requirements of India’s ambitious space program, which includes prospective lunar missions and deep space exploration aspirations.
The TLP’s creation is regarded as a crucial step in strengthening India’s standing in international space exploration. It is anticipated that:
The TLP will improve India’s capacity to carry out both domestic and commercial missions more effectively by permitting increased launch frequencies.
As ISRO gets ready for its Gaganyaan program, which intends to launch astronauts into space, the infrastructure will be essential to supporting human spaceflight missions.
This project is in line with ISRO’s long-term goals of having an Indian crew arrive on the moon by 2040 and building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035. For at least the next 25 to 30 years, the TLP should be able to accommodate changing space transportation needs.
India’s space capabilities have advanced significantly with ISRO’s investment on a third launch pad, strengthening its position as a major player in international space exploration and enabling it to carry out increasingly challenging missions.
