SOURCE: AFI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment on Wednesday by laying the foundation stone for a groundbreaking ?950-crore project set to redefine India’s space exploration capabilities. Spanning across 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks, the project heralds the establishment of a state-of-the-art spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam.
Distinguished from the space center at Sriharikota, which primarily launches heavier satellites into predetermined orbits, the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport is poised to specialize in launching smaller payloads, including nano and micro satellites. This strategic shift in focus underscores India’s commitment to diversifying its space capabilities and catering to the evolving needs of the global aerospace industry.
Situated advantageously, Kulasekarapattinam emerges as an ideal location for small satellite launches due to its unique geographical positioning. Notably, the absence of land between Kulasekarapattinam and Antarctica presents a distinct advantage for space launches. According to regulations, spacecraft cannot traverse over land masses when not in orbit. Thus, launches originating from Kulasekarapattinam ensure that satellites are already in orbit by the time they pass above the Antarctic region.
The establishment of the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport represents a significant stride towards enhancing India’s space infrastructure and expanding its footprint in the global space arena. By capitalizing on the region’s geographical advantages and leveraging advanced technologies, the spaceport is poised to emerge as a key player in the burgeoning field of satellite launches.