Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has got the Centre`s nod to establish a high-tech rocket assembly centre and also to setup third launch pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota. Both are coming up in 3 square kilometers at a cost of about Rs 500 crore. At present ISRO have two launch pads with rocket assembly centre in SDSC complex. The launch pad and vehicle assembly complex will be coming in an area of about 3 sq km, which is bigger than the measurement of the existing two launch pads.The launch complex will provide complete support for vehicle assembly, fuelling, checkout and launch operations.Apart from these, it will have facilities for launching sounding rockets meant for studying the earth’s atmosphere.
The new launch pad would be designed for launching Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III) carrying heavier satellites as also by the reusable launch vehicle, India`s own version of a space shuttle.
It would include construction of a new mobile pedestals, umbilical towers, emergency exits, ground escape system, crew ingress and egress systems, safety bunkers, material handling equipment and related electrical systems.