ISRO to expand space operations, plans 4 launch pads by 2029, says Narayanan as he clarifies agency will not be privatized

Chennai, Oct 25 (PTI): ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has said that India will significantly expand its space operations by 2029 with four operational launch pads.

He outlined the agency’s plan, which includes a 2,000-acre dedicated Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district to meet the global demand for satellite deployment.

Clarifying that the national space agency will not be privatized, Narayanan stressed that partnerships with private firms are essential to meet growing global and domestic demand for thousands of satellites.

“To deal with this expanding ecosystem, ISRO will support startups and private enterprises, transfer technological knowledge to support economic growth and generate thousands of high-tech jobs,” he said at a graduation ceremony at a private university here on Saturday.

“India will significantly expand its space operations by 2029 with four operational launch pads, supported by increasing reliance on private industry partnerships to address commercial operations,” Narayanan said.

The ISRO chief said the upcoming Kulasekarapattinam spaceport facility will include key infrastructure such as integration buildings, launch pads, track systems, telemetry, tracking and command systems. However, he did not elaborate on the other three proposed launch pads.

Stating that ISRO plans to conduct the first unmanned Gaganyaan test within the next two months, followed by two subsequent unmanned tests before a manned mission, he said, “These tests will evaluate environmental control, safety systems, crew escape mechanisms and module interiors under various pressure, temperature and humidity conditions.”

He said ISRO has successfully conducted around 8,000 ground experiments for the mission and the four designated astronauts are currently undergoing specialized training.

Looking further ahead, Narayanan unveiled plans for Chandrayaan-5, a joint lunar mission with the Japanese space agency with a 350kg rover designed to conduct 100 days of surface experiments.