Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport Explained

Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport
Short:KPSP or KSP
Location:Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukkudi district, Tamil Nadu, India
Operator:ISRO
Pads:One
Mapframe-Zoom:13
Paddetails:
Rockets:SSLV
Status:Under Construction

Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport is the second spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), located in Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal village in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India.[1] [2] [3] [4] The facility is being constructed over 2,350 acres., more than 90% of land has been acquired and the groundbreaking was done on 28 February 2024.[5] [6]

Location

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has operated the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota as its primary launch site since 1971.[7] Its location on the Bay of Bengal provides a good launch azimuth corridor and ensures safety through rockets launched over the ocean. However, the launch corridor is inefficient for smaller rockets carrying payloads to a polar orbit (circling the Earth above the poles), since the island nation of Sri Lanka is directly to the South of Sriharikota. To avoid the risk of flying over another country, payloads for polar orbits are launched towards the East and follow a curved path to the South to avoid Sri Lanka's landmass. This maneuver is known as a Dogleg maneuver.

It utilizes significant fuel for smaller rockets. Small rockets, such as the SSLV, are specifically designed to efficiently launch smaller payloads. The additional fuel consumption for the curved trajectory compromises the rocket's cost and payload efficiency.[8] To avoid this problem, ISRO is developing the Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport for launching payloads to polar orbits. Given its location, launches from Kulasekharapatnam can be launched directly South over the Indian Ocean without crossing any landmass for thousands of miles.[9] [10]

History

In 2011, a requirement for a new launch facility at Satish Dhawan Space Centre was expressed to meet future demands and as redundancy to existing facilities.[11] Following this, in 2013 Kulasekarapattinam was proposed as a potential site for this launch facility by parliamentarians from state of Tamil Nadu citing advantages due to location, weather and proximity to ISRO facilities like LPSC.[12] [13] [14] [15]

However, due to programmatic delays the Third Launch Pad project was deprioritized[16] [17] as requirements to establish a new launch facility were not being met and existing facilities were augmented instead.[18] [19] [20]

After ISRO began pursuing Small Satellite launch Vehicle (SSLV) project in 2017, the old proposal of Kulasekarapattinam launch site became relevant once again. After considering another site at western coast near state of Gujarat eventually Kulasekarpattinam was selected as the site to establish SSLV Launch Complex.[21] [22] [23] Site survey began in May 2019 and around 2,500 acres of land was identified for acquisition.[24] [25] Land acquisition process for the launch facility began in November 2019.[26] [27]

On 28 February 2024, foundation stone was laid for construction of the new facility, with an area of 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks of the Tuticorin district. The state government of Tamil Nadu completed land acquisition for project which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 950 crore and aiming for readiness by 2026.[28] [29] [30]

To mark the occasion ISRO launched a RH-200 Rohini Sounding Rocket from the launch complex at 13:40 (IST) on 28 February 2024. This was the first rocket launch from the spaceport. VSSC provided the rocket and the meteorological payload, while SDSC installed launch facilities including radars, launchers, and electronic systems.[31] [32]

Facilities

This spaceport will provide launchpads and support facilities for ISRO missions carrying payloads into polar orbits.[10]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: তামিলনাড়ুতে দ্বিতীয় মহাকাশ বন্দর বানাচ্ছে ইসরো, জমি অধিগ্রহণ প্রায় শেষ . 26 August 2022 . Anandabazar . www.anandabazar.com . 14 July 2021 . bn . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826183548/https://www.anandabazar.com/science/isros-second-spaceport-reaches-final-stage-dgtl/cid/1292668 . live .
  2. News: ISRO's Second Spaceport, for New SSLV Rocket, to Come up in Tamil Nadu . 26 August 2022 . The Wire - Science . science.thewire.in . 1 December 2019 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826165628/https://science.thewire.in/aerospace/isro-kulasekarapattinam-thoothukudi-sdsc-sriharikota-sslv-pslv-gslv-antrix/ . live .
  3. News: T.K. Rohit . Kulasekarapattinam to be on global scientific map . 26 August 2022 . The Hindu . www.thehindu.com . 17 March 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826182335/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kulasekarapattinam-to-be-on-global-scientific-map/article65233841.ece . live .
  4. Web site: Department of Space, Annual Report 2020-2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711044541/https://www.vssc.gov.in/pdf/AnnualReport/anual_report_2020-2021.pdf . 11 July 2022 . SSLV Launch Complex- The Indian Launch Vehicle Programme has attained a level of maturity today to launch 4.5 t class of satellites to GTO through GSLV MkIII. To meet the current market demands of small satellite launches, ISRO is developing a new generation launch vehicle called Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) capable of injecting small satellites (up to 500 kg) into 500 km circular Low Earth Orbit. Existing launch pads at SDSC SHAR Viz., First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP) are lined up for meeting launch demands of PSLV, GSLV & GSLV Mk-III launches, thus realisation of exclusive launch pad for SSLV is inevitable. Proposed SSLV Launch Site will meet the demands of launching SSLV launch vehicle at shorter interval..
  5. News: Surendra Singh . India to get its second spaceport, land acquisition work begins in Tamil Nadu . 26 August 2022 . Times of India . timesofindia.indiatimes.com . 2 December 2019 . 30 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630122103/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-get-its-second-spaceport-land-acquisition-work-begins-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/72323869.cms . live .
  6. Web site: Ramesh . M. . 2023-09-10 . ISRO's New Rocket Facility Raises Concerns in Kulasekarapattinam . 2024-03-21 . BusinessLine . en.
  7. News: Govt may set up new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu . 26 August 2022 . Business Standard . www.business-standard.com . 29 November 2019 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826183302/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/govt-may-set-up-new-rocket-launch-pad-near-kulasekarapattinam-in-tamil-nadu-119112801090_1.html . live .
  8. News: ISRO new launchpad in Tamil Nadu to save fuel, increase payload capacity . 26 August 2022 . India TV News . www.indiatvnews.com . 29 June 2020 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826182030/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/isro-new-launchpad-tamil-nadu-kulasekarapattinam-sriharikota-indian-space-research-organisation-630072 . live .
  9. News: Sidharth MP . Why is India building a new spaceport in Tamil Nadu? . 26 August 2022 . Wion News . www.wionews.com . 21 July 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826175817/https://www.wionews.com/science/why-is-india-building-a-new-spaceport-in-tamil-nadu-499495 . live .
  10. News: U Tejonmayam . New launch pad in Tamil Nadu to help Isro save fuel . 26 August 2022 . Times of India . timesofindia.indiatimes.com . 28 Jun 2020 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826183302/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/new-tn-launch-pad-to-help-isro-save-fuel/articleshow/76668427.cms . live .
  11. Web site: October 2011 . 12th Five Year Plan of Department of Space Report of Working Group (WG-14) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160404223826/http://planningcommission.gov.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp12/sandt/wg_dos2905.pdf . 4 April 2016 . 84, 106.
  12. Web site: 6 February 2014 . Fifteenth Series, Vol. XXXVII, Fifteenth Session, 2014/1935 (Saka) No. 12, Thursday, February 06, 2014/Magha 17, 1935 (Saka) . https://web.archive.org/web/20240306172101/https://sansad.in/getFile/debatestextmk/15/XV/0602.pdf?source=loksabhadocs . 6 March 2024 . 44.
  13. Web site: 10 December 2014 . Parliamentary Debates Rajya Sabha: Official Report Vol. 233 No. 13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240306172106/https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/Debates/OfficialDebatesDatewise/Floor/233/F10.12.2014.pdf . 6 March 2024 . 484.
  14. Web site: karthikeyan . k . 2013-11-13 . Kulasekarapattinam's ideal launch pad . 2024-03-17 . . en . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317162949/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131113/news-current-affairs/article/kulasekarapattinam%E2%80%99s-ideal-launch-pad . live .
  15. Web site: Correspondent . D. C. . 2013-11-17 . Ex-scientist of ISRO bats for Kulasekarapattinam . 2024-03-17 . . en . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317163023/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131117/news-current-affairs/article/ex-scientist-isro-bats-kulasekarapattinam . live .
  16. Web site: 31 March 2017 . Two Hundred Ninety Eighth Report Demands For Grants (2017-2018) Of The Department of Space (Demand No. 91) . https://web.archive.org/web/20170424113808/http://164.100.47.5/newcommittee/reports/EnglishCommittees/Committee%20on%20S%20and%20T,%20Env.%20and%20Forests/298.pdf . 24 April 2017 . 16, 17.
  17. Web site: ISRO proposes to set up a new launch pad, referred as Third Launch Pad, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. . 2024-03-17 . pib.gov.in . 22 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722192201/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=116880 . live .
  18. Web site: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1725 . 17 March 2024 . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317183606/https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/242/Au1725.pdf?source=pqars . live .
  19. Web site: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2379 . 17 March 2024 . 17 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317183607/https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/245/Au2379.pdf?source=pqars . live .
  20. Web site: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1429 .
  21. Web site: ISRO's Second Spaceport, for New SSLV Rocket, to Come up in Tamil Nadu . 2024-03-17 . The Wire . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204070728/https://thewire.in/space/isro-kulasekarapattinam-thoothukudi-sdsc-sriharikota-sslv-pslv-gslv-antrix . live .
  22. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2018-09-21 . ISRO setting up launch pad for Gaganyaan mission . 2024-03-17 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 8 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608222932/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/isro-setting-up-launch-pad-for-gaganyaan-mission/article25010147.ece . live .
  23. Web site: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1733 . 17 March 2024 . 22 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722201243/https://164.100.158.235/question/annex/247/Au1733.pdf . live .
  24. News: 2019-06-03 . Villagers oppose land acquisition for Isro rocket launch pad at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu . 2024-03-17 . The Times of India . 0971-8257 . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031054947/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/villagers-oppose-land-acquisition-for-isro-rocket-launch-pad-at-kulasekarapattinam-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/69635505.cms . live .
  25. News: Reporter . Staff . 2019-09-30 . Kudimaramathu work will be completed before Oct. 10: Collector . 2024-03-17 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 5 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220105023712/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/kudimaramathu-work-will-be-completed-before-oct-10-collector/article29557981.ece . live .
  26. Web site: 2020-03-05 . Land acquisition underway for 2nd rocket port in Tuticorin . 2024-03-17 . 5 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200305005149/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/land-acquisition-underway-for-2nd-rocket-port-in-tuticorin/1673907 . bot: unknown .
  27. Web site: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1240 .
  28. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2024-02-21 . Modi to lay foundation stone for Kulasekarapattinam spaceport on February 28 . 2024-02-23 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 23 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223144748/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/modi-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kulasekarapattinam-spaceport-on-february-28/article67870939.ece . live .
  29. Web site: Sivapriyan . E. T. B. . PM Modi to lay foundation for ISRO's second spaceport on February 28 . 2024-02-23 . Deccan Herald . en . 23 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223144748/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/pm-modi-to-lay-foundation-for-isros-second-spaceport-on-february-28-2906049 . live .
  30. Web site: Ramesh . M. . 2023-09-10 . ISRO's New Rocket Facility Raises Concerns in Kulasekarapattinam . 2024-02-23 . www.thehindubusinessline.com . en . 23 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223144754/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/kulasekarapattinam-nervous-about-isros-rocket-launch-station-project/article67291646.ece . live .
  31. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2024-02-27 . Rohini Sounding Rocket to be launched from Kulasekarapattinam . 2024-02-28 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 28 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228021048/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/rohini-sounding-rocket-to-be-launched-from-kulasekarapattinam/article67892137.ece . live .
  32. Web site: Honourable Prime Minister Lays the Foundation Stone for India's Second Spaceport . 2024-02-29 . www.isro.gov.in . 8 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308024516/https://www.isro.gov.in/Second_Spaceport_FoundationStone_Laid_Hon_PrimeMinister.html . live .

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