Satish Dhawan Space Centre Third Launch Pad


The Third Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre is an under development rocket launch site in Sriharikota, India. When the launch pad will be completely built, it will be the third launch pad in the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the other two being First Launch Pad and the Second Launch Pad. In 2018, it was reported that the launch of India's first crewed orbital spacecraft "Gaganyaan" is scheduled to be launch from the third launch pad before 2022. However in November 2019, ISRO released tenders for augmentation of second launch pad for Gaganyaan project.

Usage

This launch pad is intended to be used for future Indian rockets like the Unified Modular Launch Vehicle, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III and Avatar RLV as well as the older ones like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. The launch pad will be used for the India's future human space missions. One of the main reasons of building this launch pad is that it will increase the frequency of orbital launches by ISRO.

Facilities

Several facilities have been proposed to be built at the Third Launch Pad. They include a vehicle assembly building, mobile pedestals, umbilical towers, emergency exits, ground escape system, crew ingress and egress systems, safety bunkers, material handling equipment and related electrical systems.

Status

Construction of the launch pad started in September 2012. The total cost of the new launch pad is estimated to be.