Parliamentary panel flags limited number of launch pads, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology has pointed out the operational risks of India's limited launch infrastructure.
• India currently has one spaceport, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with two launch pads.
• A new launch complex is under development in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV).

Detailed Insights:

• The existing launch pads at Sriharikota, established in the early 1990s and 2005, may not be sufficient for future launch demands.
• The new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam aims to enhance launch capabilities, particularly for the growing small satellite market.
• Depending on a single spaceport increases vulnerability to disruptions caused by natural disasters or unforeseen events.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Spaceport: A facility for launching and receiving spacecraft.
• Launch Pad: The platform from which rockets and spacecraft are launched.
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV): A launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites into orbit.