The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to expand India's space infrastructure with four operational launch pads by 2029, Chairman V Narayanan said. The expansion will be supported by partnerships with private companies as the country prepares to meet rising domestic and global demand for satellite launches.
Narayanan outlined the agency's roadmap at a graduation ceremony at a private university in Chennai on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The plans include a dedicated 2,000-acre Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex in Kulasekarapattinam, in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district.
New SSLV Complex to Boost Launch Capacity
The proposed Kulasekarapattinam spaceport will include integration buildings, launch pads, rail-track systems, and telemetry, tracking and command systems. The facility is intended to support growing demand for satellite deployment.
Narayanan said the agency would increasingly rely on partnerships with private industry for commercial operations. However, he clarified that ISRO itself would not be privatized.
"To handle this expanding ecosystem, ISRO will handhold startups and private enterprises, transferring technological expertise to foster economic growth and generate thousands of high-tech jobs," he said.
The ISRO chief said collaboration with private firms would be essential to meet rising global demand for thousands of satellites. He did not elaborate on the locations or details of the other three proposed launch pads.
Gaganyaan Uncrewed Test Planned Within Two Months
ISRO is preparing to conduct the first uncrewed test for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program within the next two months. Two further uncrewed tests are planned before the crewed mission.
Narayanan said the tests would assess environmental control and safety systems, crew escape mechanisms, and the module's interior under varying pressure, temperature, and humidity conditions.
The agency has already completed approximately 8,000 ground-based experiments for the mission. Four astronaut-designates are currently undergoing specialized training ahead of the planned human spaceflight program.
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Chandrayaan-5 Mission Planned with Japan
Looking beyond Gaganyaan, Narayanan also outlined plans for Chandrayaan-5, a collaborative lunar mission with Japan's space agency.
The mission is expected to feature a 350-kg rover designed to conduct surface experiments over 100 days.
The planned expansion of launch infrastructure, private-sector collaboration, and upcoming space missions are part of ISRO's broader effort to strengthen India's position in the global space sector. The 2029 four-launch-pad target is intended to support growing commercial activity while the agency continues work on human spaceflight and lunar exploration.