India's Second Spaceport In Tamil Nadu To Be Ready By December 2026

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced on Wednesday (27 August) that India’s second rocket launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu is expected to be ready by December 2026, reported The Hindu.

He said the spaceport, spread across 2,300 acres in Tuticorin district, would handle about 25 launches every year.

After participating in the Bhumi Puja for the new launch pad, Narayanan told reporters, “All the work will be over by December 2026—that is our target. We are planning rocket launch by fourth quarter of next year. The Prime Minister will announce the correct launch date at the appropriate time.”

The upcoming facility will mainly support the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), designed to carry payloads of 500 kg to an altitude of 400 km.

Narayanan said that there will be 20-25 satellite launches annually.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Complex (SLC) at Kulasekarapattinam via video conferencing in February 2024.

ISRO officials highlighted that SSLVs differ from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLVs), which carry heavier payloads and are typically used for deep space missions.

Currently, PSLVs and GSLVs operate from India’s first spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

Along with Narayanan, senior ISRO scientists including Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Director A Rajarajan attended the ceremony.

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