Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) second spaceport in Kulasekaranpattinam, Tamil Nadu, on February 28th.
The primary spaceport, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, is situated in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Soundararajan announced in a press release that the foundation ceremony is set for February 28th, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this important project. She stressed that the project marks a significant milestone in the progress of science and technology for the state of Tamil Nadu.
She further mentioned that the upcoming spaceport, spanning 2,000 acres, will contribute to the progress and prosperity of the Thoothukudi district region.
Currently, rockets launched from Sriharikota must initially travel eastward, then make a southward turn, necessitating a deviation to steer clear of the airspace of neighboring Sri Lanka.
The Telangana Governor stated that once the new spaceport is operational, the need for this diversion will be eliminated. Additionally, she highlighted that the new location is closer to the Equator compared to Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Furthermore, ISRO’s propulsion complex is situated in Mahendragiri, which is closer to Kulasekaranpattinam (88 km) than to Sriharikota (780 km). This closeness will streamline the transportation of rocket components, leading to savings in both time and cost.
ISRO intends to commercially launch small satellites from the Kulasekaranpattinam spaceport. Launching small satellites from Sriharikota results in increased costs due to the longer distance the rocket must travel.
The extended distance requires carrying additional fuel, consequently reducing the rocket’s payload capacity. This challenge will be addressed with the introduction of the new spaceport.
Kulasekaranpattinam is prepared for substantial growth, thanks to satellite-based space technology and the endeavors of the central government,” remarked Soundararajan, who hails from Tamil Nadu. “Experts predict the establishment of various supporting industries in the area, resulting in the generation of numerous employment opportunities and bolstering the Thoothukudi district.