The current status of infrastructure development at the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, including the timeline for its full commissioning and the funds allocated and utilized for the project so far:

• Land acquisition completed except for the land for rerouting the East-Coast Road.
• Site development works completed and construction works commenced for technical facilities.
• Fabrication of various equipment and structures is in progress at different work centres.
• Commissioning of Kulasekarapattinam spaceport is targeted in FY 2026-27.
• Funds allocated to Kulasekarapattinam spaceport – ₹985.96 Crore.
• Fund utilized for the project so for – ₹389.58 Crore. (As on 31st July’25)

The specific advantages of the Kulasekarapattinam launch site in terms of payload capacity and its comparison with the existing launch facility at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC-SHAR) are as under:

• Kulasekarapattinam launch site will enhance the payload capability of satellite launch vehicles in the class of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), while launching satellites to polar orbits.
• Launches to the functionally exceptional Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSPO) from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota need maneuvering of the rocket to avoid the impact of spent stages over landmasses and this will significantly reduce the payload capability.
• The payload capability of SSLV to SSPO while launching from Kulasekarapattinam is about 300kg whereas the capability is inadequate for a useful payload while launching from SDSC SHAR.

Post commissioning, the launches of SSLV and equivalent launch vehicles from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) are planned to be carried out from Kulasekarapattinam spaceport.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2158404)