ISRO launch pads are planned to expand to four operational sites by 2029, Chairman V Narayanan said on October 24, 2026. The roadmap includes a dedicated small-satellite launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam in southern India.

ISRO launch pads and private partnerships

The planned Small Satellite Launch Vehicle complex will cover 2,000 acres in Tuticorin district and is intended to meet global demand for satellite deployment. Its infrastructure will include integration buildings, launch pads, rail tracks, and telemetry, tracking and command systems.

Narayanan said the Indian Space Research Organisation would not be privatised, but that partnerships with private firms were essential to meet satellite demand. ISRO plans to support startups and private enterprises by transferring technological expertise.

Gaganyaan tests and lunar plans

Narayanan said ISRO planned its first uncrewed Gaganyaan test within two months of his remarks, followed by two more uncrewed tests before a crewed mission. The tests will assess systems including environmental controls and crew escape mechanisms.

He said four astronaut-designates were undergoing specialised training. ISRO also plans Chandrayaan-5, a lunar mission with Japan’s space agency featuring a 350-kilogram rover designed for 100 days of surface experiments.

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