Why in news?

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a third launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, to support ISRO's future use of the heavier Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

SDSC, India's sole spaceport, became operational in 1971 with the launch of the 'Rohini-125' rocket and was renamed in 2002 to honor former ISRO Chairman Satish Dhawan.

What’s in today’s article?

• Satish Dhawan: A Pioneer in Indian Space Science
• The Search for India's Ideal Satellite Launch Site
• Why Sriharikota Was Chosen as the Launch Site?
• ISRO to Get a Third Launch Pad: Key Highlights

Satish Dhawan: A Pioneer in Indian Space Science

• Early Life and Achievements
  • Born in Srinagar, Satish Dhawan was an eminent rocket scientist, hailed as the 'Father of Experimental Fluid Dynamics research' in India.
  • He made significant contributions to the study of turbulence and boundary layers.
• Leadership at ISRO
  • In 1972, Dhawan succeeded Vikram Sarabhai as the Chairman of ISRO.
  • Under his leadership, India’s space program witnessed remarkable growth, including the development of operational systems like:
    • INSAT: A telecommunications satellite.
    • IRS: The Indian Remote Sensing satellite.
    • PSLV: A launch vehicle that elevated India to a spacefaring nation.
• Legacy and Recognition
  • After his passing in 2002, the space center at Sriharikota was renamed the Satish Dhawan Space Center to honor his transformative contributions.

The Search for India's Ideal Satellite Launch Site

• Search begins
  • In the 1960s, India embarked on a mission to indigenously develop satellites and launch vehicles under the leadership of Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the Indian space program.
  • He tasked scientist EV Chitnis with finding a suitable launch site on the country’s east coast.
• Survey and Selection of Sriharikota
  • In March 1968, information and maps of potential sites, including Sriharikota, were gathered.
• Quick Execution and Acquisition
  • By August 1968, Sarabhai conducted a survey of Sriharikota.
  • In October 1968, ~40,000 acres of land in Sriharikota were acquired, showcasing the remarkable speed and efficiency of the process.

Why Sriharikota Was Chosen as the Launch Site?

• Ideal Location on the East Coast
  • Sriharikota’s position on the east coast allows rockets to be launched eastwards, leveraging Earth’s rotation for additional velocity.
  • This provides a significant boost of about 450 m/s, increasing payload capacity.
• Proximity to the Equator
  • Being close to the equator is advantageous for launching geostationary satellites, as they need to be in the equatorial plane.
  • The closer the launch site to the equator, the more efficient the launch.
• Uninhabited and Sea Proximity
  • Sriharikota's sparsely populated area and proximity to the sea ensure a safe flight path over the ocean, where separated rocket hardware can fall without risks or constraints.

ISRO to Get a Third Launch Pad: Key Highlights

• Purpose of the Third Launch Pad (TLP)
  • Designed to support Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLVs) and serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Will enhance India's capacity for human spaceflight missions and space exploration.
• Timeline and Importance
  • The project is of national importance and aims to be completed within 4 years
  • Expected to meet India's evolving space transportation needs for the next 25-30 years.
• Versatile Configuration
  • The TLP will have a universal and adaptable design to support NGLVs, Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), and vehicles with semicryogenic stages.
  • Capable of accommodating scaled-up configurations of launch vehicles.
• Boost to India's Space Ecosystem
  • The TLP will enable higher launch frequencies, strengthening the national space ecosystem.
  • It will significantly enhance India’s capacity to undertake human spaceflight and exploration missions.
• Existing Launch Pads
  • India currently operates two launch pads at Sriharikota:
    • First Launch Pad (FLP): Supports PSL and SSL vehicles.
    • Second Launch Pad (SLP): Functions as a standby for PSLVs and is being prepared for human-rated LVM3 for Gaganyaan missions.
  • Future Scope
    • The TLP project will ensure ISRO’s readiness for future demands, solidifying its role in advancing India’s space transportation capabilities.