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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is targeting March or April 2027 for the first rocket launch from its upcoming spaceport at
Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu, as construction and equipment installation continue at the facility.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan indicated the proposed launch window on November 1 while speaking to reporters in Chennai. On November 5, he reiterated that launches from Kulasekarapattinam would begin in 2027. However, ISRO has not yet announced an exact launch date or confirmed the rocket, payload or operator for the maiden mission.
Located in Thoothukudi district, the new spaceport is being developed primarily to support small satellite launch operations, including missions involving the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). It will operate alongside the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, India’s established orbital launch site.
Kulasekarapattinam's location on Tamil Nadu's southeastern coast offers a more direct trajectory for missions targeting polar and sun-synchronous orbits, which are commonly used by Earth-observation satellites. The location can help avoid trajectory constraints associated with launching southward from Sriharikota because of Sri Lanka's position along the flight path.
Construction of the spaceport began in March 2025, following the foundation stone ceremony in February 2024. According to a Department of Space response in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2026, the project has an approved cost of Rs 985.96 crore, with expenditure reaching Rs 588.70 crore as of July 31, 2026.
The parliamentary response stated that civil construction packages were in progress, while major equipment had arrived at the site and installation and commissioning activities were underway. Several buildings were also nearing completion.
The spaceport is also expected to support launches by India's private space companies. IN-SPACe has initiated a process to identify an Indian private company to manage and operate the complex. However, a final operator selection or completed operational handover has not yet been confirmed.
The March–April 2027 window remains a target, based on the ISRO chairman's reported remarks. Further details about the maiden mission, including its launch vehicle, payload and final schedule, are awaited from ISRO.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan indicated the proposed launch window on November 1 while speaking to reporters in Chennai. On November 5, he reiterated that launches from Kulasekarapattinam would begin in 2027. However, ISRO has not yet announced an exact launch date or confirmed the rocket, payload or operator for the maiden mission.
Located in Thoothukudi district, the new spaceport is being developed primarily to support small satellite launch operations, including missions involving the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). It will operate alongside the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, India’s established orbital launch site.
Kulasekarapattinam's location on Tamil Nadu's southeastern coast offers a more direct trajectory for missions targeting polar and sun-synchronous orbits, which are commonly used by Earth-observation satellites. The location can help avoid trajectory constraints associated with launching southward from Sriharikota because of Sri Lanka's position along the flight path.
Construction of the spaceport began in March 2025, following the foundation stone ceremony in February 2024. According to a Department of Space response in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2026, the project has an approved cost of Rs 985.96 crore, with expenditure reaching Rs 588.70 crore as of July 31, 2026.
The parliamentary response stated that civil construction packages were in progress, while major equipment had arrived at the site and installation and commissioning activities were underway. Several buildings were also nearing completion.
The spaceport is also expected to support launches by India's private space companies. IN-SPACe has initiated a process to identify an Indian private company to manage and operate the complex. However, a final operator selection or completed operational handover has not yet been confirmed.
The March–April 2027 window remains a target, based on the ISRO chairman's reported remarks. Further details about the maiden mission, including its launch vehicle, payload and final schedule, are awaited from ISRO.
