Tech Accomplishments: Tamil Nadu’s Rocket Launchport & Indian Science achievements

Why in news?

The Indian Prime Minister recently lay the groundwork for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) second rocket launchport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

What is the requirement for a new launch port?

• Capacity and Overburdening:
  • Opening of the space sector to private players is expected to increase commercial launches significantly.
  • This surge in demand could overwhelm existing launch facilities like the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
  • Establishment of a new launch port ensures sufficient capacity to handle the increased number of launches without overburdening existing facilities.
• Diversification of Launch Services:
  • By dedicating SDSC SHAR primarily for larger missions and creating the Kulasekarapattinam launchport for smaller payloads, ISRO can diversify its launch services.
  • Specialization allows for more efficient utilization of resources and infrastructure tailored to specific mission requirements.
• Support for Private Players:
  • The new launchport provides private players with dedicated infrastructure to develop space-qualified subsystems, build satellites, and launch vehicles.
  • Encourages private investment and participation in the space sector, fostering innovation and competition.

Significance of Kulasekarapattinam Launchport:

• Geographical Advantage:
  • Geographically, scientifically, and strategically, the Kulasekarapattinam launchport offers a natural advantage to ISRO’s future launches, particularly concerning the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
  • Its location allows for a direct southward trajectory, ideal for lightweight SSLVs carrying less fuel, thus enhancing ISRO’s payload capacities.
• Optimized Trajectory:
  • Launches from Kulasekarapattinam can follow a straight southward flight path, unlike those from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, which require skirting eastwards around Sri Lanka.
  • This optimized trajectory minimizes fuel consumption, especially crucial for SSLVs with limited onboard fuel capacity.
• Equatorial Location:
  • Similar to SDSC SHAR, Kulasekarapattinam is located near the equator.
  • Equatorial launch sites benefit from Earth’s rotation, providing rockets with a significant velocity boost during liftoff.
  • This boost in velocity allows for increased payload capacity, particularly advantageous for missions targeting geostationary orbit.

Is the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) Pioneering the Space Industry Revolution?

• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a launch vehicle consisting of three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.
• It is designed to launch 500kg satellites into a 500km planar orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
• Planar orbit, also known as low Earth orbit (LEO), is close to the Earth’s equatorial plane, ensuring a relatively flat path around the Earth.
• Key Features:
  • Low Cost: SSLV offers cost-effective launch solutions.
  • Low Turn-around Time: It ensures quick turnaround between launches.
  • Flexibility: It can accommodate multiple satellites on a single launch.
  • Launch Demand Feasibility: SSLV addresses the increasing demand for small satellite launches.
  • Minimal Infrastructure Requirements: It requires minimal launch infrastructure.
• Significance:Era of Small Satellites:
  •  With the rise of small satellites, SSLV caters to the growing demand from various sectors such as businesses, government agencies, universities, and laboratories.
  • Rise in Demand: The demand for small satellite launches has surged due to the growing need for space-based data, communication, surveillance, and commerce.
  • Cost Savings: SSLV enables cost-effective and timely access to space, supporting the development of satellite constellations.
  • Business Opportunity: The increasing demand for small satellite launches presents a lucrative business opportunity for space agencies like ISRO, especially for commercial satellite launches.
• Journey of SSLV:
  • August 2022: SSLV-D1 mission encountered failure while attempting to deliver two satellites.
  • February 2023: ISRO succeeded with SSLV-D2 mission, placing three satellites into a 450 km circular orbit after a 15-minute journey, both launches from SHAR.

What are the Features of SHAR?

•  Geographical Location: Situated along the east coast of Andhra Pradesh, approximately 80 km off Chennai.
• Launch Infrastructure: Provides launch infrastructure for all ISRO missions.
• Facilities:
  • Equipped with solid propellant processing setup, static testing, and launch vehicle integration facilities.
  • Provides telemetry services, tracking, and command network to oversee the launch.
  • Houses a mission control center.
• Launch Complexes:
  • Consists of two launch complexes used for launching various ISRO vehicles:
  • Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
  • Geosynchronous Space Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
  • Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (LVM3)
• First Launch Pad:
  • Maiden launch occurred in September 1993.
  • Built in the early 1990s.
• Second Launch Pad:
  • Operational since 2005.
  • Maiden launch took place in May 2005.

People also ask

Q1: Where is Kulasekarapattinam launchport located?
Ans: Kulasekarapattinam launchport is situated along the east coast of Tamil Nadu, India, approximately 80 km off Chennai.

Q2: What are the advantages of its geographical location?
Ans: Geographically, Kulasekarapattinam launchport offers a natural advantage due to its direct southward trajectory, beneficial for launching lightweight SSLVs carrying less fuel.

Q3: How does its optimized trajectory differ from other launch facilities?
Ans: Launches from Kulasekarapattinam follow a straight southward flight path, minimizing fuel consumption compared to longer trajectories required by other facilities like SDSC SHAR.