India Plans 30 Space Launches Over Next 14 Months from Sriharikota Spaceport
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh – The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced on Thursday that a total of 30 space launches, both commercial and non-commercial, by government and private entities are scheduled over the next 14 months from the Indian spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Included in these missions are test flights related to India’s human space mission, Gaganyaan.
IN-SPACe, the regulator for the private sector in the space industry, unveiled its integrated launch manifesto utilizing the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) infrastructure.
“In the 2023-24 (Q4) and 2024-25 periods, about 30 launches are planned from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), half of which cater to India’s commercial space sector, with the remainder being user-funded, scientific missions, or technology test launches,” IN-SPACe stated.
Among the identified 14 commercial missions, NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of the Department of Space, will undertake seven launches, including the realization of two Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) from the L&T-HAL consortium.
This surge in launch activity marks a significant increase compared to previous years, signaling the growth of the space ecosystem in the country.
This initiative aligns with the directives of the recently-ratified Indian Space Policy, entrusting IN-SPACe with the authorization of launch manifestos for launch infrastructure created through public expenditure.
The launch manifesto comprehensively covers user-funded, scientific missions, and technology demonstration launches by ISRO, along with commercial launches and associated primary and co-sharing passengers.
“The Integrated Launch Manifesto aligns with the Department of Space’s vision to optimize resources and encourage innovation to establish India as a global manufacturing hub for space activities, in line with the vision of ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India),” IN-SPACe emphasized.
Key private sector rocket missions include planned Sub-Orbital and Orbital launches by Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace.
Private sector satellites scheduled for launch are from Digantara Research & Technology, Dhruvaspace, Space Kidz India, and academic institutes like IIT-Madras, Manipal Institute of Technology, and C.V. Raman Global University, Odisha, IN-SPACe noted.
However, IN-SPACe assured it will make every effort to accommodate any additional requirements from private players during this period.
According to the launch manifesto issued by IN-SPACe, the following space missions are slated before the end of this fiscal:
- PSLV C58 / ISRO Payload POEM-3 with 9 payloads
- GSLV-F14 / ISRO Payload
- AGNIBAAN-SORTeD (Suborbital mission) – Agnikul Cosmos
- SSLV D3/ ISRO Primary Payload, Space Rickshaw, and IIT-M Satellite.
In 2024-25, the following space missions are lined up:
- ISRO/User-funded Space Missions:
- PSLV C60: ISRO Payload & POEM-4
- GSLV F15/ ISRO Payload
- PSLV C61/ ISRO Payload
- GSLV F16 /ISRO Payload
- PSLV C63/ISRO Payloads
- GSLV F17 / ISRO payload
Commercial space missions:
- PSLV C59: NSIL Primary Payload, SCOT, CGUSAT, LEAP-1
- LVM3 M5: NSIL Payload
- PSLV C62: PROBA-3
- PSLV N1: TDS-01
- SSLV S1: TBD, PARIKSHIT
- PSLV N2: TBD, Aadyah, DRISHTI, Sanskardhaam, DS P30 (2nos)
- SSLV S2: TBD, Azista60°
