PM Modi lays foundation stone for India’s second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
This ambitious project, costing Rs 950 crore, marks a pivotal moment in India’s space exploration journey, promising to enhance the nation’s satellite launch capabilities, particularly for small satellites.
The new spaceport, sprawling over 2,233 acres in the villages of Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks, is expected to be operational in two years.
It will complement the existing spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, and is strategically positioned to offer geographical advantages that promise fuel savings and more efficient satellite launches.
The Tamil Nadu government has completed the land acquisition for this project, which comes at a time when the Centre has opened up the space sector to 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
To further leverage this new facility, the state is also setting up a Space Industrial and Propellants Park across 2,000 acres in the district, aiming to create a vibrant ecosystem for space industry players in the region.