Space Agency ISRO Plans to Establish Third Launch site by 2029 - Crucial Details Delved Into
India is set to take a significant step forward in its space programme with the upcoming operationalisation of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre by March 2029. This new launch facility, designed specifically to support ISRO’s next-generation rockets, crewed spaceflight, and high-frequency launch missions, is poised to bolster India’s position as a rising space power.
The TLP is tailored for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a modular heavy-lift rocket family capable of carrying payloads up to 30,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit. It will also support upgraded versions of the existing LVM3 rocket, especially those with semi-cryogenic stages. Unlike the older two pads, the TLP is built from scratch with modern systems, including a redesigned flame deflection system to handle higher exhaust and vibration loads from larger engines. It incorporates new fueling systems compatible with cryogenic and semi-cryogenic propellants crucial for next-gen vehicles.
One of the key advantages of the TLP is its advanced infrastructure. It will have its own dedicated vehicle assembly complex to streamline pre-launch workflows, allowing simultaneous preparation of multiple missions and improving launch cadence and operational efficiency. The pad is also designed to provide critical redundancy, ensuring that time-sensitive commercial and national missions are not delayed if one pad is undergoing maintenance or recovery after a launch.
Safety is a prime concern, and the TLP is being designed to meet the rigorous safety standards required for crewed missions, including the Gaganyaan program and future lunar expeditions. The pad will support abort systems, escape protocols, and integration processes specific to human-rated rockets. Automated systems and heightened safety protocols are integrated to manage complex and high-risk missions reliably.
The TLP project is part of a broader trend of indigenisation in India's space sector. It is being built with significant private sector involvement, including Indian MSMEs and aerospace firms. This collaboration is expected to strengthen India's domestic space supply chain.
By 2029, the TLP will stand as a symbol of India's readiness to lead in space. It will enable India to launch more missions, including Moon landings, Mars probes, orbital stations, and commercial partnerships. The TLP at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota is being built by ISRO, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s space capabilities. This strategic platform will allow India to undertake heavier payload launches, complex human space missions, and more frequent launches with better safety and operational efficiency. The Third Launch Pad is indeed a stepping stone towards India's future in space, positioning itself to be a competitive and capable launch provider for satellite constellations, interplanetary missions, and space tourism. By 2035, India aims to establish a space station, and in the 2040s, astronauts may walk on the Moon - all made possible by the Third Launch Pad.
- The Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, designed for India's next-generation rockets, will facilitate the launch of various missions, such as Moon landings, Mars probes, and orbital stations, utilizing advanced technology.
- With the operationalization of the TLP by 2029, India's space programme will deploy next-generation vehicles, supported by modern fueling systems compatible with cryogenic and semi-cryogenic propellants, and will boost its space-and-astronomy sector through collaborations with Indian MSMEs and aerospace firms.
