Department of Space Approves Space Facilities in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat

The Department of Space approved Common Technical Facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu on 22 May 2026. The facilities are linked to India’s private-sector space manufacturing ecosystem and are being developed with the involvement of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.

Common Technical Facilities

Common Technical Facilities are shared engineering hubs that provide testing, validation, and integration infrastructure for space hardware. They are designed for use by startups and large industries that need access to high-end rocket and satellite testing equipment.

Space Manufacturing Park in Gujarat

A Space Manufacturing Park will come up at Khoraj near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The park will focus on spacecraft and complex payload systems, including structural assembly and electronic validation. Payload systems are the instruments or equipment carried by a launch vehicle or spacecraft for a specific mission.

Space Vehicles Cluster in Tamil Nadu

A Space Vehicles Cluster will be developed at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The site is located near the upcoming small vehicle launch complex at Kulasekharapatnam. The facility will focus on manufacturing, testing, and integration of full launch vehicle systems.

Important Facts for Exams

• IN-SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.
• Common Technical Facilities are shared infrastructure used for capital-intensive testing and validation work.
• The central government sanctioned ₹100 crore for the specialised facility in Thoothukudi.
• State governments will provide land, buildings, and civic infrastructure for the two facilities.

Ownership and Operational Model

IN-SPACe will procure, install, and initially operate the technical systems before transferring ownership to the states. The model combines state-backed infrastructure with central technical support for space manufacturing activities.