ISRO to set up 'Third Launch Pad' for advanced launch vehicles

NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to set up a new launch pad, referred as Third Launch Pad, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

"The Third Launch Pad is intended to support increased launch frequency, launching requirements of future advanced launch vehicles and also serve as a redundant launch pad for the GSLV MIII class of vehicles," said a government press release.

Detailed studies on possible concepts /options and preliminary configuration have been carried out, the release added.

The possible site for the Third Launch Pad has been identified in Sriharikota taking into account the safety distances and maximal utilisation of existing launch pad facilities.

"However, further work on design of the launch pad will be taken up at an appropriate time after finalising the configuration of the advanced launch vehicle, operationalisation of GSLV MIII, programmatic requirements and resource availability," government said.

This information was provided by MoS in the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in a reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha.