ISRO’s New Spaceport and Dogleg Maneuver

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to enhance its satellite launch capabilities with the development of a new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. This move comes in response to the challenges posed by the dogleg maneuver, a trajectory alteration required for launches from the existing spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, to avoid flying over Sri Lanka. The dogleg maneuver, while necessary for ensuring the safety and efficiency of satellite launches, consumes additional fuel and limits payload capacity. The new spaceport, sprawling over 2,233 acres and costing Rs 950 crore, is strategically located to offer direct southward trajectories, eliminating the need for the dogleg maneuver and promising more efficient launches, especially for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). This significant development not only aims to bolster India’s capabilities in space exploration but also to foster growth and generate employment in the coastal town of Kulasekarapattinam.