**Summary:**
As of August 20, 2025, significant progress has been made in the development of the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport. Land acquisition is nearly complete, with the exception of land required for East Coast Road rerouting. Site development is finished, and construction of technical facilities is underway. Equipment and structure fabrication is in progress at various work centers. The commissioning of the spaceport is targeted for FY 2026-27. The project has been allocated ₹985.96 Crore, with ₹389.58 Crore utilized as of July 31, 2025.
The Kulasekarapattinam launch site offers advantages over the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, particularly for launches to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSPO). Launching from Kulasekarapattinam will enhance the payload capability of Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) to SSPO to about 300kg, a capability that is currently inadequate when launching from SDSC SHAR due to the need for maneuvering to avoid spent stage impact over land. Post-commissioning, launches of SSLV and equivalent launch vehicles from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) are planned to be conducted from Kulasekarapattinam. This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State.
Key Entities Referenced
Kulasekarapattinam spaceport: A new spaceport under development in India, intended for launching satellites, particularly to polar orbits.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle SSLV: A launch vehicle developed by ISRO, whose payload capability will be enhanced by the Kulasekarapattinam launch site.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR SDSCSHAR: The existing launch facility of ISRO located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, used for launching satellites.
ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation
SunSynchronous Polar Orbits SSPO: A type of orbit that Kulasekarapattinam spaceport is advantageous for.
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
Department of Space: The Indian government department responsible for space research and development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where information regarding the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport was presented.
Department of Space
PARLIAMENT QUESTION:
KULASEKARAPATTINAM SPACEPORT
Posted On: 20 AUG 2025 4:35PM by PIB Delhi
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.
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Site development works completed and construction works commenced for technical facilities.
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Fabrication of various equipment and structures is in progress at different work centres.
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Commissioning of Kulasekarapattinam spaceport is targeted in FY 2026-27.
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Funds allocated to Kulasekarapattinam spaceport – ₹985.96 Crore.
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Fund utilized for the project so for – ₹389.58 Crore. (As on 31st July’25)
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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
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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
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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
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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)