India’s 1st startup-operated launchpad inaugurated in Sriharikota

India’s first launchpad and mission control centre designed and operated by a private player has been inaugurated at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, space startup Agnikul Cosmos announced on Monday.The startup, incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, also plans to launch its customisable Agnibaan rocket from the launchpad before the end of this year. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath inaugurated the Agnikul Launchpad on November 25.The facility, designed by Agnikul Cosmos and executed with the support of ISRO and IN-SPACe, has two sections — the Agnikul Launchpad (ALP) and the Agnikul Mission Control Center (AMCC). ”The first exclusive launchpad for a private launch vehicle has come up at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC). Now, India can travel to space from one more space platform. Thanks to Agnikul,” Somanath said. ISRO operates two launchpads at the SDSC.