Kulasekarapattinam spaceport

Context: The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for India’s new spaceport for small satellite launch vehicles at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. 

Kulasekarapattinam spaceport: 

• Location: Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district, southern Tamil Nadu. The project will come up across 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks.
• Will launch: Smaller payloads like Nano and Microsatellites. 
• Project cost: ₹950-crores. The construction is expected to take nearly two years to complete. 
• India has Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh spread over 145 sq km that has two launch pads for PSLV and GSLV flights (heavier satellites). 

Considerations for selecting a rocket launch site in India: 

The primary considerations for selecting a rocket launch site in India are the site’s proximity to the equator and its location on the Eastern coastline. 

• Proximity to Equator (Provides initial boost, saves cost): 
  • When seen from the North Pole, the Earth rotates counterclockwise, or from west to east. The surface velocity of rotation varies from point to point on the Earth.
    • It is about 1600 km per hour or about 465 metres in a second near the equator. 
    • The velocity gradually reduces as we move to the poles and it is practically zero at the poles.
  • A satellite launched from the sites near the equator towards the east direction will get an initial boost equal to the velocity of the Earth surface. The initial boost helps in cutting down the cost of rockets used to launch the satellites.
  • However, this benefit can be taken only for such satellites which are placed in geo-stationary orbit or which circle the Earth parallel to the equator. Such satellites are usually communication satellites or satellites used for scientific research such as the International Space Station. Polar satellites (placed in polar orbits moving across the equator in north south direction) are generally launched in southward or northward direction and therefore cannot take advantage of the Earth’s rotation.

• Location on Eastern coast (Safety considerations): 
  • The launching stations are generally located near the eastern coastline of India so that, just in case of failure of the launch, any debris of the satellite falls harmlessly in Bay of Bengal or Indian Ocean and does not fall on the main hinterland.

Strategic advantage of Kulasekarapattinam: 

• The geographic location of the country’s second spaceport to be set up at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu has a strategic advantage over launch pads in Sriharikota. 
• During polar missions, big launch vehicles follow a trajectory where they fly in the southeast direction after lift-off from Sriharikota to avoid flying over Sri Lanka, protecting the landmass from rocket debris. 
• The rocket then takes a sharp manoeuvre and proceeds towards the south pole. This manoeuvre results in the rocket deviating from a straight flight path requires more fuel that results in loss of rocket’s payload capacity.
  • The payload loss in big launch vehicles is manageable, But for small satellite launch vehicles, such manoeuvres will leave minimal payload capability. 
• Kulasekarapattinam gives the benefit of launching straight in the southward direction. Hence, when launched from Kulasekarapattinam, the manoeuvre is not required thereby saving the rocket’s fuel as well as improving the payload capability.

Significance: 

• India, by the establishment of the new spaceport, seeks to leverage the private sector in making it a self-reliant spacefaring nation. The global market for small satellites is projected to have a CAGR of 16.4 per cent — from $3,215.9 million in 2020 to $13,711.7 million by 2030. By allowing easier access to polar orbits, the location will help make launches cheaper for both private players and ISRO. 
  • In 2020, the Centre permitted private companies to enter the space sector, which was hitherto under the complete control of ISRO. The new policy aims to enable ISRO to focus on scientific space missions rather than routine activities like weather and communication satellite launches.
  • The Central Government has allowed 100 per cent FDI in the space sector. The Indian Space Policy 2023 allows satellite launches by non-government entities (NGEs), subject to technical feasibility and range safety.