Latest news with #TLP
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's 3rd launch pad In Sriharikota only by March 2029
Bengaluru: India's third satellite launch pad at the in Sriharikota is slated to be fully operational only by March 2029, according to the Department of Space. The ambitious project, seen as critical to the country's growing space programme, is progressing through key milestones following financial sanction earlier this year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The new facility, referred to as Third Launch Pad (TLP), will serve as the primary site for launching India's upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and act as a backup for existing heavy-lift vehicles such as LVM3, according to the Department of Space (DoS) The construction timeline includes completion of civil works by May 2028, installation of fluid systems and propellant storage by July 2028, and establishment of launch pad systems by Sept 2028, before full commissioning in March 2029. As per DoS, surveys and geotechnical studies were wrapped up by May this year, and tender evaluations for infrastructure works are currently underway. The project is being broken into multiple work packages, with an emphasis on partnering with Indian private players and MSMEs in line with Make in India and self-reliance goals. The need for a third pad has long been flagged by space officials, especially as Isro prepares for human spaceflight under Gaganyaan, continued Moon missions under the Chandrayaan programme, and future operations involving Indian astronauts. Former Isro chairman S Somanath had earlier told TOI that while the second launch pad has been retrofitted for LVM3 and Gaganyaan launches, the risk of a single-point failure remains. 'If something happens to the second pad, all heavy launches would grind to a halt,' he had said, batting for TLP. The first launch pad, originally built for the PSLV, is incompatible with cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines used in newer rockets. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The upcoming NGLV, expected to stand 91 metres tall — more than double the height of LVM3 — will also require an entirely new infrastructure due to its significantly higher thrust, new propellant needs, and jet deflection characteristics. Rajarajan A, former director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) — the spaceport in Sriharikota — who took charge as director Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) on Aug 1, had earlier stressed on the importance of TLP in accommodating the size and complexity of future rockets. He had told TOI that while existing launch pads are being modified for near-term Gaganyaan missions, only a new pad can fully support India's next-gen space goals. Once operational, the TLP is expected to become the linchpin of India's deep space missions, including space station deployment and lunar landings.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Isro's third satellite launch pad for Gaganyaan mission will be ready by September 2028, minister Jitendra Singh tells Lok Sabha
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) targets to get its third satellite launch pad (TLP) facility ready by September 2028, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Department of Space, informed Lok Sabha Wednesday. The upcoming launch pad will be used for launching Gaganyatris, astronauts participating in the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, onboard the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is under development, in addition to lifting off other heavier and strategic satellites into space. The third launch pad design will support the Launch Vehicle Mak 3 (offering a lift-off mass of up to 4,000 kg), supported with the semicryogenic stage. In his reply to a question by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu, the minister further said the TLP project received financial approval in March 2025. 'Subsequently, the geo-technical investigation and topography survey of the site were completed by May this year. Road works and electrical works are currently under evaluation. Multiple work packages have been identified for the establishment of the TLP facilities,' he said. Most of the on-ground work for the upcoming launch pad is scheduled to be completed in 2028. Civil works are expected to be completed by May 2028. The establishment of fluid systems and associated propellant storage is targeted for July 2028. Launch pad facilities are planned to be in place by September 2028, and the final commissioning of the entire facility by March 2029. The Department of Space, the minister said, will partner with Indian private players and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the maximum extent possible towards building the third launch pad, a project of national importance. This means that before the end of this decade, Isro will be ready with the newest launch pad that would propel the multiple Gaganyaan and other human spaceflight missions planned to the moon. Besides, it will serve as a standby launch pad to the existing second launch pad. Currently, Isro operates two launch pads at India's space port, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. The first launch pad primarily serves Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). The second launch pad accommodates heavier lift-offs, including the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the Launch Vehicle Mak 3 (LVM3), in addition to PSLV. Isro is also redeveloping and tweaking the second launch pad to support the lift-off of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV). The first two launch pads have been operational since 1993 and 2005, respectively. Since September 1993, the first launch pad has facilitated 50 launches. Isro officials at the space centre had earlier said that the establishment of a launch pad set-up offering flexibility to launch multiple vehicle types is a long-drawn exercise and could take about six years to reach full fruition. Space centre officials earlier noted that the first launch pad, which has been in operation for over three decades, will need to be decommissioned in the near future. This decision is based on the launch pad nearing the end of its operational lifetime and its limitations in supporting the launch of heavier vehicles.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Third satellite launch pad project set for March 2029 completion
New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) The Third Satellite Launch Pad (TLP) Project, a significant expansion of India's space infrastructure, has made steady progress following the receipt of financial sanction in March 2025, the Government informed Parliament today. It will be fully commissioned by March 2029, it said. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Department of Space in a written reply to Lok Sabha said, 'The preliminary geo-technical investigation and topographical survey of the designated site were completed by May 2025, laying the groundwork for further development. Presently, bids for road construction and electrical works are being evaluated.' The project is structured around four critical milestones: completion of civil engineering works by May 2028, establishment of fluid handling systems and propellant storage facilities by July 2028, installation of launch pad facilities by September 2028, and full commissioning by March 2029, he said. Dr Jitendra Singh shared that the Department of Space has announced plans to engage Indian private sector firms and MSMEs through a transparent tendering process aligned with the government's Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UNI AJ SSP
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Isro targets 2029 to ready the third launch pad for India's next-gen rockets
India's space capabilities are set to receive a significant boost with the ongoing development of Isro's Third Satellite Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, development is moving smoothly as the government is awaiting bidding on tenders for multiple developmental works in and around the launch project received financial sanction in March 2025, marking a critical step towards expanding the country's launch infrastructure to support next-generation launch Following the sanction, Isro completed geotechnical investigations and topographic surveys of the site by May 2025. Currently, offers for essential road and electrical works are under evaluation, with multiple work packages identified to establish the sophisticated facilities required for the launch development timeline outlines four major milestones: completion of civil works by May 2028, installation of fluid systems and propellant storage by July 2028, establishment of launch pad facilities by September 2028, and commissioning of the facility projected for March to handle heavier payloads, the TLP will support Isro's Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and the LVM3 vehicles with semi-cryogenic stages, enhancing India's capacity to launch payloads of up to 30,000 tonnes into low Earth orbit. This is a substantial increase compared to the current capabilities of existing launch the project emphasises collaboration with Indian private industry and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These partnerships, selected through a transparent tendering process, aim to maximise indigenous manufacturing and expertise, reinforcing the Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, provided these updates, stressing the strategic importance of the TLP for India's ambitious space new launch pad will not only enhance launch frequency and redundancy but is instrumental for upcoming human spaceflight missions and interplanetary exploration efforts, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station planned for 2035 and a crewed lunar landing by 2040.- EndsMust Watch
Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
TLP worker acquitted in 2021 rioting case
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday acquitted a Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) worker, Muhammad Nazak, in a 2021 case related to rioting, vandalism, and arson, after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the charges. ATC Judge Arshad Javed presided over the case and announced the verdict after hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and defence. The defence counsel maintained that there was no solid evidence linking Nazak to the incident in question and requested the court to acquit him. The prosecution, however, opposed the plea, arguing that enough material was available to proceed. After reviewing the case record and arguments, the court ruled in favour of the defence and acquitted the accused. Muhammad Nazak had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case and remained on the run for three years. He was currently on interim bail and appeared in court for the hearing. The FIR was registered at Sherakot Police Station in 2021 against several TLP workers in connection with violent protests led by the party. The charges included rioting, vandalism, and arson under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Several other co-accused in the case were previously acquitted in earlier court proceedings.
