What Happened
- The Gujarat government has identified a site near Kodinar in Gir Somnath district, on the Arabian Sea coast between Diu and Kodinar, for India's proposed third satellite launch centre.
- The site selection was done following consultations with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), which confirmed its suitability for specific orbital paths and launches.
- Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia announced the plan, noting that the open sea to the west provides a safe and clear launch corridor essential for rocket trajectory safety.
- In parallel, Gujarat is developing a Space Park near Sanand (approximately 100 acres), where a private firm has committed approximately Rs 500 crore for a small satellite manufacturing unit.
- The state government will initiate land acquisition and administrative clearances for the proposed spaceport.
Static Topic Bridges
IN-SPACe: India's Space Sector Regulator and Promoter
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous, single-window nodal agency functioning under the Department of Space (DoS), established in June 2020 following the Cabinet's approval for opening India's space sector to private players. IN-SPACe acts as an independent regulator and interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs), authorising and supervising their space activities, enabling them to use ISRO infrastructure, and evaluating their technical proposals.
- Established: June 2020, under the Department of Space (not ISRO directly).
- Three directorates: Promotion Directorate (PD), Technical Directorate (TD), and Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD).
- IN-SPACe's decisions are final and binding on all stakeholders, including ISRO.
- Private players do not need separate ISRO clearance — IN-SPACe's approval is sufficient.
- Launched Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative in April 2025 for private satellite platforms.
- Complements the Space Sector FDI liberalisation and the Indian Space Policy 2023.
Connection to this news: Gujarat conducted site assessment consultations with IN-SPACe — not ISRO directly — reflecting the new regulatory framework where IN-SPACe is the primary authority for private and state-level space infrastructure proposals.
India's Existing Spaceport Infrastructure: Satish Dhawan Space Centre
India's primary spaceport is the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), also called Sriharikota Range (SHAR), located on Sriharikota Island in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. It currently has two operational launch pads: Launch Pad 1 (used for PSLV and SSLV) and Launch Pad 2 (used for GSLV and LVM3). A third launch pad is under construction at an estimated cost of Rs 3,984.86 crore, intended for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) — critical for India's space station (2035) and crewed lunar mission (2040) goals. The second Indian spaceport is the proposed Kulasekarapattinam launch site in Tamil Nadu, being developed specifically for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) heading to sun-synchronous and near-polar orbits.
- SDSC/SHAR: Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh — ISRO's primary launch base since 1971.
- Kulasekarapattinam (Tamil Nadu): India's second spaceport, under development for SSLV and small satellite launches.
- Gujarat's proposed Gir Somnath/Kodinar site could become India's third spaceport.
- The Gir Somnath site's location on the west coast (Arabian Sea) provides different orbital insertion advantages than Sriharikota's east-coast (Bay of Bengal) position.
- West-coast launches are better suited for certain inclined or equatorial orbits with westward trajectories.
Connection to this news: The Gujarat proposal would diversify India's launch geography, potentially enabling launches that benefit from Arabian Sea trajectories — complementing rather than replicating Sriharikota's capabilities.
India's Space Sector Reforms and the New Space Economy
India's space sector underwent structural reform via the Indian Space Policy 2023, which clearly delineates roles: ISRO focuses on R&D and national missions; NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) handles commercial launches and technology transfer; and IN-SPACe enables private sector participation. Under this framework, private Indian companies can now independently build launch vehicles, manufacture satellites, offer launch services, and own and operate spaceports. The Space Activities Bill (pending in Parliament) will provide the legislative backing for these activities. India's space economy, valued at approximately $8.4 billion (2023), aims to capture a 10% global market share by 2030, up from under 2% currently.
- Indian Space Policy 2023: Three-pillar structure (ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe).
- NSIL: Government commercial arm for satellite launches, technology commercialisation.
- FDI in space sector liberalised: Up to 74% under automatic route for satellite manufacturing.
- Private launch vehicles: Agnikul Cosmos (Agnibaan), Skyroot Aerospace (Vikram series) are early movers.
- India's Space Activities Bill is pending legislation for comprehensive legal framework.
Connection to this news: Gujarat's Rs 500 crore private satellite manufacturing investment and the proposed spaceport are direct outcomes of the policy reforms that allow states and private entities to participate meaningfully in the space economy.
Key Facts & Data
- Proposed location: Kodinar–Diu coast, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat (Arabian Sea).
- Infrastructure plan: Satellite launch centre + Space Park near Sanand + private satellite manufacturing unit.
- Private investment committed: Approximately Rs 500 crore for satellite manufacturing at Sanand Space Park.
- IN-SPACe established: June 2020, under Department of Space.
- India's existing spaceports: SDSC Sriharikota (operational) + Kulasekarapattinam Tamil Nadu (under development).
- Third launch pad at Sriharikota: Under construction, cost Rs 3,984.86 crore, for NGLV.
- India's space economy target: 10% global market share by 2030.
- Indian Space Policy 2023 separates ISRO's R&D role from commercial and regulatory functions.