IN-SPACe Calls for Private Players to Operate New Spaceport in Thoothukudi.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting Indian companies to take over the operation and management of the upcoming Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) Launch Complex at Kulasekarapattinam, near Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

The launch complex, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of this year, will become the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) second spaceport after the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Through the EOI, IN-SPACe is seeking responses from Indian industries with proven experience in executing and managing large-scale, multidisciplinary infrastructure and operations projects.

The move is aimed at bringing greater private-sector participation into the operation and management of the country’s space launch infrastructure, as India expands commercial access to its growing space sector.