(a) whether the Government has commissioned the state-of-the-art second launch pad at Sriharikota;
(b) if so, the details alongwith the salient features thereof;
(c) the expenditure incurred thereon; and
(d) the manner in which Indian Space Programme has been benefited thereby?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a),(b) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
(c)&(d) STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b), (c) & (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.158 REGARDING `SECOND LAUNCH PAD AT SRIHARIKOTA` ASKED BY SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 02, 2006.
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The state-of-the-art Second Launch Pad was commissioned during May, 2005 with the successful launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV- C6. The Second Launch Pad (SLP) adopts the concept of `Integrate Transfer and Launch` (ITL), wherein the entire launch vehicle gets assembled and checked out in a dedicated Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on a Mobile Launch Pedestal (MLP). The assembled vehicle in a vertical condition is then moved to the launch pad on rails. The propellant servicing, final vehicle checkout operations and launch is carried out from the launch pad. With different MLPs, the launch pad can be used for launching different vehicles, including GSLV-MK III.
(c) The expenditure incurred on SLP is Rs 407 crores.
(d) With the availability of the SLP, it has made possible better turn around time for launches leading to increased launch frequency. SLP along with the First Launch Pad has also given us the option to simultaneously integrate two launch vehicles.