Gujarat government plans to build India’s third spaceport near Gir Somnath

New Delhi: After sriharikota India’s third satellite launch center is likely to come up in Gujarat with the spaceport and upcoming launch port at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia recently announced in the state Assembly that a proposed launch site has been identified near the Gir Somnath area on the Arabian Sea coast.Speaking on his ministry’s budgetary requirements, Modhwadia said the location was determined in consultation with space regulator and promoter India’s National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). “Based on our requirements, IN-SPACe has identified a suitable site that can be developed as a launch pad to place satellites into orbit, just like Sriharikota. The site is located between Diu UT and Kodinar. We are now moving in that direction,” the minister said.Speaking to TOI, a senior space official said, “State governments and even private entities can build satellite launch centers in India. The process has become streamlined, especially after the space sector reforms. But satellite launch operations from this location require prior authorization from IN-SPACEe, a single window nodal agency under the Ministry of Space.”According to the Implementing Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) of the Indian Space Policy, 2023, “Any space activity, including the launch, operation, guidance and/or re-entry of any space object, shall require authorization from IN-SPACE as stated in Section 5 of the Indian Space Policy, 2023”.Since the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for airspace regulation, it issues a Notice of Air Mission (NOTAM) to warn aircraft before any satellite or rocket is launched. Therefore, the role of DGCA also comes into play before any rocket is launched.As part of its plan to promote the space industry, the Gujarat government has also established a 100-acre Gujarat Space Park near Sanand to attract companies engaged in space technology and satellite manufacturing. Minister Modhwadia said industrial units based on space technology are expected to come up at the facility, which will help create a wider ecosystem for the industry.“I am happy to say that Azista Aerospace has started manufacturing small satellites at a cost of Rs 500 crore and the process of allocating land to them has also begun,” the minister told the assembly. According to him, the facility will be India’s first private satellite manufacturing facility capable of handling end-to-end operations. The initiatives are aimed at positioning Gujarat as a key hub in India’s rapidly expanding aerospace sector.India’s main spaceport at Sriharikota, officially known as Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) SHAR, became operational on October 9, 1971 with the launch of a RH-125 sounding rocket. To date, the space launch site has launched 434 foreign satellites, 134 spacecraft missions, and 18 satellites launched by private players or students.India’s second space launch site at Kulasekarapattinam in Tennessee is under construction. The project has been allocated Rs 985.9 billion and aims to be commissioned during this fiscal year.