ISRO to expand space ops, plans 4 launch pads by 2029, says Narayanan as he clarifies the agency will not be privatised
ISRO chief V Narayanan said India will have four functional launch pads by 2029, backed by private partnerships. He outlined plans for the Kulasekarapattinam SSLV spaceport, uncrewed Gaganyaan tests and Chandrayaan-5, a joint mission with Japan featuring a 350-kg rover.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman, V Narayanan, has announced plans for significant expansion of the agency's space operations, aiming to have four functional launch pads by 2029. The development includes the construction of a dedicated Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district, which will help meet the global demand for satellite deployment.
ISRO Chairman emphasized that the agency will not be privatized, but will collaborate with private firms to handle commercial operations and foster economic growth through technological expertise transfer to startups and private enterprises. ISRO will also conduct the first uncrewed Gaganyaan test within the next two months, followed by two more tests before the crewed mission, along with plans for Chandrayaan-5, a lunar mission with Japan's space agency featuring a 350-kg rover for conducting 100 days of surface experiments.
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