ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has announced that the country’s second launch complex, located in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, is targeted for completion by December 2026. The new spaceport, being built on 2,300 acres of land in the Thoothukudi district, is expected to handle approximately 20-25 launches annually.The new facility will primarily be used for launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV), which are designed to carry payloads of up to 500 kg into a 400 km altitude. Unlike the larger Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLVs) launched from the first spaceport in Sriharikota, the SSLVs will cater to the growing global demand for launching small satellites.
The foundation stone for the complex was laid by Prime Minister Modi in February 2024. The official launch date for the first rocket from the new complex will be announced by the Prime Minister at the appropriate time. The new spaceport marks a significant step in India’s efforts to expand its space capabilities and capture a larger share of the commercial satellite launch market.