The Indian government has confirmed that the third satellite launch pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) will be operational by March 2029, enhancing ISRO’s capabilities significantly. Approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025 with a budget of approximately ₹4,000 crore, the TLP is designed to support Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and enable the launch of heavier spacecraft, up to 30,000 tons into low Earth orbit, compared to the current capacity of 640 tons with the LVM-3. The project involves four milestones: completion of civil works by May 2028, establishment of fluid systems and propellant storage by July 2028, and launch pad facilities by September 2028. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with Indian private players and MSMEs, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat. This infrastructure upgrade is crucial for advancing India’s ambitions in military, scientific, commercial, and human spaceflight domains, including future missions like Gaganyaan and interplanetary exploration. The TLP will not only improve launch frequency and redundancy but also bolster India’s position in the global space arena, showcasing its self-reliance and technological prowess in the rapidly evolving space sector.