Article Posted on : - Mar 20, 2015

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to establish a third launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the Rajya Sabha was told Thursday.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh said in a written reply that ISRO proposes to establish a third launch pad to support increased launch frequency and also to support launching requirements of advanced launch vehicles.

While replying to another question, Singh said that "substantial reduction in cost of launching four tonne class of communication satellites is anticipated after the development and operationalisation of GSLV mark III vehicle."

He said the cost of launching a satellite like GSAT-16 (of 3,000 kg class) onboard foreign launch vehicle costs higher as compared to launching onboard indigenous launch vehicle GSLV Mk III, which is under development.