KULASEKARAPATTINAM LAUNCHPORT (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently laid the foundation stone of the second rocket launchport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Kulasekarapattinam.

Kulasekarapattinam Launchport

• About: The Kulasekarapattinam launchport in Tamil Nadu offers a natural advantage to ISRO's future launches due to its strategic geographical location.
• Scientific Benefit: The launchport enables direct southward trajectories for SSLVs, which are lighter and require less fuel, thereby optimizing ISRO's payload capacities and efficiency.
• Strategic Importance: Located in Tamil Nadu, the Kulasekarapattinam facility reduces the launch trajectory distance compared to launches from SHAR, cutting fuel consumption and enhancing strategic maneuverability for ISRO's space missions.

Need a New Launchport

• Increasing Commercial Launches: The Union government's policy opening the space sector to private players will lead to a surge in commercial launches.
• Preventing Overburdening of Existing Facility: To avoid overburdening the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota, India needs a new launchport.
• Diversification of Launch Capabilities: Kulasekarapattinam launchport will handle smaller payloads, diversifying India's launch capabilities.
• Preserving SHAR for Major Missions: SHAR will remain dedicated to heavy-lift-off missions and significant endeavors like missions to the Moon, Venus, and the Gaganyaan human-flight mission.

SSLV

• About: SSLVs, or Small Satellite Launch Vehicles, are compact launch vehicles developed by ISRO for launching small satellites.
• Characteristics: SSLVs feature a three-stage launch vehicle with a lift-off weight of approximately 120 tonnes, measuring 34 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter.
• Propulsion Systems: SSLVs are equipped with a combination of solid propulsion for the initial stages and liquid propulsion for the terminal stage.