Rocket launch centre in Thoothukudi; Modi to lay foundation stone on Feb 28

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the country's second rocket launch centre on February 28 at Kulasekharapatnam in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The construction will be completed in two years. The rocket centre will be spread over 2233 acres of land. The cost is Rs 950 crore. The process of acquiring land is finished. In a few years, the launch of smaller rockets will take place from this station. However, Sriharikota will continue to be the site of large rocket launches.

Launches will take place at Kulasekharapatnam using ISRO's newly developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. Small satellites can be launched at a very low cost using this launch vehicle. Only one week will be needed to prepare for the launch.SSLV's second launch was successful on February 10 last year. EOS 07 satellite and two baby satellites AzaadiSAT and Januswere launched.

Kulasekharapatnam rocket station is geographically more convenient for launching when compared to Sriharikota. During the launch from Sriharikota, the rockets are first fired in the south-easterly direction to avoid moving over Sri Lanka and then turned towards the South Pole. If the launch takes place from Kulasekharapatnam, the rockets can be launched in a straight south direction. This will reduce the complexity of the launch.

Aim is private investment

1. The launch pad for the SSLV rocket is being prepared here. SSLV is a three-part small rocket with a diameter of two meters and a height of 34 meters. It weighs 120 tons. It can deliver satellites weighing up to 500 kg into Earth's orbit at altitudes of up to 500 km.

2. It has been decided to build SSLV rockets in the private sector. This is expected to attract massive private investment in the space sector.

Along with this, the Tamil Nadu government has acquired 2000 acres of land and is building a private space industrial and propellant park. The construction of this park will also be completed along with the completion of the rocket station.