ISRO Chairman S Somanath called on Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and discussed on setting up of a second launchpad at Kulasekharapatnam in southern Thoothukudi district on Monday. Somanth said the space agency's initiative of establishing the launch pad was progressing and it would be ready in two years. The ISRO Chairman said, government of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned 2,000 acres of land in the coastal district for an ambitious project that will allow private rockets to be launched. This will help save more fuel than it would consume while launching them from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
After meeting CM, Somanath said, “I came here to meet Chief Minister M K Stalin and to thank him for his support to ISRO and for honouring our scientists who contributed to the Chandrayaan-3 programme."
He said that they were building the second launchpad at Kulasekharapatnam and requested the chief minister’s support.
"The government has sanctioned 2,000 acres of land and we are going through various other clearances,” he said.
Further, ISRO chief said, “Kulasekharapatnam is more advantageously placed than Sriharikota in launching small rockets, as it would save payload and avoid flying over the Sri Lanka island mass.”
Taking to X, CM Stalin said, "Had a constructive meeting with @isro chairman Thiru. S. Somanath. He gifted me with a #Chandrayaan model, a testament to Tamil Nadu's role in #ISRO's success. Applause to Thiru Somanath and his team for their stellar achievements!”
ALSO READ: US President Biden To Visit Israel Tomorrow To Show 'Solidarity' As War With Hamas Escalates
Stalin was also presented with a model of Chandrayaan-3.