Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: After Sriharikota spaceport and the upcoming launch port at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district, India’s third satellite launch centre is likely to come up in Gujarat.Gujarat science and technology minister Arjun Modhwadia recently announced in state assembly that a proposed launch site near Gir Somnath district along the Arabian Sea coast has been identified.While speaking on budgetary demands for his department, Modhwadia said the site was identified after consultations with space regulator and promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). “As per our request, IN-SPACe has found a suitable location which can be developed as a launchpad for putting satellites into orbit, just like Sriharikota. That location is between the UT of Diu and Kodinar. We are now moving forward in that direction,” the minister said.Talking to TOI, a senior space official said, “A state govt or even a private entity can build a satellite launch centre in India. The process has become streamlined, especially after reforms in the space sector. But conducting satellite launch operations from that site will require prior authorisation from IN-SPACe, which serves as the single-window nodal agency under the Department of Space.”According to Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023, “Any space activity, which shall include, inter-alia, launch, operation, guidance and/or re-entry of any space object, as outlined in Section-5 of Indian Space Policy-2023, shall need authorisation from IN-SPACe”.As Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) handles airspace regulation, it issues Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) to warn aircraft before any satellite or rocket launch. Therefore, DGCA’s role also comes into play before any rocket launch.As part of its initiative to promote the space sector, the Gujarat govt is also setting up a Gujarat space park across 100 acres near Sanand to attract companies working in space technology and satellite manufacturing. Minister Modhwadia said space technology-based industrial units are expected to come up at the facility, which will help build a broader ecosystem for the sector.“I am happy to say that Azista Aerospace has started work to manufacture small satellites at a cost of Rs 500 crore, and the process of allocating land to them has begun,” the minister told the assembly. According to him, the facility will become India’s first private-sector satellite manufacturing plant capable of handling end-to-end operations. These initiatives are aimed at positioning Gujarat as a key hub in India’s rapidly expanding space sector.India’s primary spaceport at Sriharikota, officially known as the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, became operational on Oct 9, 1971, with the launch of an RH-125 sounding rocket. The spaceport has till now launched 434 foreign satellites, 134 spacecraft missions and 18 satellites launched by private players or students.India’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in TN is under construction with Rs 985.9 crore allocated for the project, with commissioning targeted for this financial year.
