ISRO Plans Four Operational Launch Pads by 2029 to Expand India’s Space Capabilities

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to expand India’s space-launch infrastructure to four operational launch pads by 2029. The expansion will strengthen the country’s ability to undertake satellite launches, support commercial space missions and accommodate growing demand from domestic and international customers.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan outlined the development roadmap while addressing a graduation ceremony at a private university in Porur, near Chennai, on 24 October 2026. His remarks were widely reported on 25 and 26 October. The expansion includes a dedicated Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu and the development of additional launch infrastructure at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The ISRO Chairman emphasised that the proposed expansion would involve greater cooperation with private companies and startups. The objective is to develop a more extensive space-launch ecosystem capable of supporting India’s scientific missions alongside an expanding commercial satellite industry.

India Targets Four Functional Launch Pads by 2029

India currently operates two principal launch pads at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. These facilities support the country’s established orbital launch programmes, including missions involving the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).

ISRO’s expansion strategy includes developing a third launch pad at Sriharikota and establishing a dedicated launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district. Together, these facilities form the basis of India’s objective of having four operational launch pads by 2029.

Expanding the launch infrastructure is important because different launch vehicles require specialised ground facilities, integration systems and mission-support equipment. Additional launch pads can provide greater flexibility in scheduling missions and reduce competition for launch infrastructure between different rocket programmes.

The planned expansion will also help India accommodate future launch vehicles while supporting the increasing demand for satellite deployment, scientific exploration and commercial missions.

Kulasekarapattinam to Become a Dedicated Small Satellite Launch Centre

One of the central elements of ISRO’s expansion programme is the development of a dedicated SSLV launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam, covering approximately 2,000 acres.

The facility is being established to support launches involving the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, which ISRO developed to meet demand for placing smaller satellites into orbit. The launch vehicle is intended to provide a comparatively flexible and cost-effective option for commercial operators, research institutions and government agencies.

The Kulasekarapattinam complex will include launch infrastructure, integration buildings, mobile launch structures, rail-track systems and specialised ground-support facilities. It will also incorporate telemetry, tracking and command systems required to monitor launch vehicles and maintain communication during flight.

The Government of India initiated the development of the spaceport with the foundation stone laid on 28 February 2024. Subsequently, on 27 August 2025, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan laid the foundation for the launch pad at the complex.

According to ISRO’s Annual Report 2025–26, the development programme involves substantial indigenous engineering and the participation of Indian industrial partners. Several major ground systems and components are being designed within ISRO, with manufacturing and implementation supported by the domestic aerospace industry.

Strategic Advantages of the Tamil Nadu Spaceport

The geographical location of Kulasekarapattinam provides important advantages for launching small satellites into certain orbital trajectories.

Sriharikota has traditionally served as India’s principal space-launch centre. However, its position on India’s eastern coastline requires specific flight-path considerations for satellites entering polar or sun-synchronous orbits.

Kulasekarapattinam’s location on the southeastern coast allows more direct southward launch trajectories over the Indian Ocean for suitable missions. This can reduce the need for certain trajectory adjustments that would otherwise consume additional propellant.

Such advantages are particularly relevant to smaller launch vehicles, where improvements in payload efficiency can influence mission performance and commercial competitiveness.

The new spaceport will complement Sriharikota rather than replace it. By operating launch facilities at two geographically separate locations, India can develop a more diversified launch infrastructure suited to different categories of satellites and launch vehicles.

Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota to Support Future Missions

The proposed Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota represents another major component of India’s launch infrastructure development.

The existing launch complex has supported numerous communication, navigation, Earth observation and planetary exploration missions. However, the country’s future space programmes will require additional facilities to accommodate larger and more advanced launch vehicles.

The Third Launch Pad is intended to support evolving launch requirements, including those associated with India’s next-generation launch-vehicle development programme.

A more extensive launch complex will improve operational flexibility and support the preparation of multiple missions across different launch-vehicle categories. It will also strengthen the country’s infrastructure for future heavy-lift launch operations.

The development of specialised launch facilities is particularly important as India pursues longer-term objectives involving human spaceflight, advanced launch vehicles and a sustained presence in space.

ISRO to Strengthen Partnerships with Indian Private Space Companies

Dr. Narayanan also highlighted the increasing importance of private-sector participation in India’s space programme.

He clarified that ISRO would not be privatised. Instead, the organisation intends to strengthen cooperation with private enterprises and startups to expand manufacturing capacity, commercial operations and technological capabilities.

India’s space-sector reforms have created opportunities for domestic companies to participate in launch-vehicle development, satellite manufacturing, propulsion systems, electronic components and space infrastructure.

Under this evolving framework, ISRO can concentrate more resources on advanced research, scientific exploration and next-generation technologies while working with industry to expand production and operational capabilities.

Technology transfer will remain an important part of this approach. By sharing specialised expertise and supporting the development of domestic suppliers, ISRO aims to strengthen India’s industrial capabilities and encourage the creation of skilled employment opportunities.

The expansion of launch infrastructure could also generate additional demand for precision engineering, high-performance materials, propulsion equipment, electronics, automated systems and specialised construction services.

Gaganyaan Programme Advances Towards Uncrewed Flight Tests

During his address, the ISRO Chairman also discussed preparations for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

Dr. Narayanan stated that ISRO was targeting the first uncrewed Gaganyaan test within approximately two months of his October 2026 remarks. The mission is intended to evaluate critical systems before India undertakes its first crewed orbital flight.

The uncrewed flight-test programme will examine environmental control systems, crew safety arrangements, escape mechanisms and spacecraft module performance under different operating conditions.

These systems are essential for ensuring that astronauts can safely withstand the demanding environment associated with launch, orbital flight and atmospheric re-entry.

The ISRO Chairman reported that approximately 8,000 ground-based experiments had been conducted in connection with the programme. He also stated that four astronaut-designates were undergoing specialised training.

ISRO plans to conduct additional uncrewed tests before proceeding with the crewed mission. The test programme will provide opportunities to validate spacecraft systems and evaluate their performance under actual flight conditions.

The Gaganyaan programme forms part of India’s broader objective of establishing independent human spaceflight capabilities.

Chandrayaan-5 to Advance India-Japan Lunar Exploration

Dr. Narayanan also outlined plans for Chandrayaan-5, a proposed collaborative lunar exploration mission involving ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The mission is expected to involve a lunar rover weighing approximately 350 kilograms and designed to conduct scientific investigations on the Moon’s surface for around 100 days.

A rover of this class would support more extensive surface exploration than India’s earlier small lunar rover deployments. The planned mission would contribute to scientific investigations of the lunar environment and strengthen technological cooperation between India and Japan.

The collaboration also reflects the expanding international dimensions of India’s space programme, particularly in planetary exploration and advanced scientific missions.

Alongside the expansion of launch infrastructure, such missions demonstrate the range of technological capabilities that India is developing across launch vehicles, spacecraft, robotic exploration and mission-support systems.

Expanding India’s Role in the Global Space Economy

The establishment of four operational launch pads by 2029 would represent a significant expansion of India’s space-launch infrastructure.

Growing demand for Earth observation satellites, communication networks, navigation services and scientific spacecraft is creating opportunities for countries capable of offering reliable launch services.

India’s combination of established launch-vehicle technology, emerging private aerospace companies and expanding ground infrastructure provides a foundation for increasing its participation in this market.

The dedicated SSLV complex at Kulasekarapattinam will be particularly relevant to the small-satellite industry, while the additional launch infrastructure at Sriharikota will support the country’s evolving requirements for larger launch vehicles.

The development programme will also require sustained investment in testing facilities, manufacturing capabilities, mission-control infrastructure and specialised technical personnel.

Successful completion of these projects will strengthen the country’s ability to support multiple categories of space missions while encouraging the growth of domestic aerospace manufacturing.

Towards a More Capable and Self-Reliant Indian Space Programme

ISRO’s objective of establishing four functional launch pads by 2029 reflects India’s transition towards a larger and more diversified space programme.

The development of the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, expansion of Sriharikota’s launch infrastructure and increasing participation of private companies will strengthen the foundations of India’s future space activities.

At the same time, programmes such as Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-5 demonstrate the importance of maintaining advanced scientific research and technological development alongside commercial expansion.

As India moves towards its 2029 infrastructure target, these initiatives will contribute to a more capable domestic space industry, greater launch flexibility and a stronger national technological base.

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References

1. ISRO — Annual Report 2025–26. Official details of the SSLV Launch Complex at Kulasekarapattinam, infrastructure development and Indian industry participation.
   https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/AnnualReport/Annual_Report_2025-26_EN_28042026.pdf
2. Akashvani News — India to Expand Its Space Operations with Four Functional Launch Pads by 2029, Says ISRO Chairman. Report covering Dr. V. Narayanan’s statements on launch infrastructure, Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-5.
   https://newsonair.gov.in/india-to-expand-its-space-operations-with-four-functional-launch-pads-by-2029-says-isro-chairman/
3. Press Trust of India, 25 October 2026 — ISRO to Have Four Launch Pads by 2029, Says Narayanan. Report on the ISRO Chairman’s address in Chennai.
   https://theprint.in/india/isro-to-have-four-launch-pads-by-2029-says-narayanan/3080946/
4. DT Next, 26 October 2026 — 4 Launch Pads to Be Ready by 2029: ISRO Chairman. Coverage of the expansion programme and private-sector participation.
   https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/4-launch-pads-to-be-ready-by-2029-isro-chairman
5. Moneycontrol, 26 October 2026 — India to Get Four Functional Space Launch Pads by 2029. Reporting on the expansion of Sriharikota and the planned Kulasekarapattinam spaceport.
   https://www.moneycontrol.com/science/india-to-get-4-functional-space-launch-pads-by-2029-isro-chief-reveals-the-expansion-plan-article-14060049.html

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