India is all set to build its second-largest space station in Gujarat, as confirmed by Nilesh Desai, Director of ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC). The ambitious project will be constructed between Diu and Veraval, with a proposed investment of Rs 10,000 crore. This announcement marks a significant expansion of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s infrastructure, complementing the existing Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.
Desai revealed that the upcoming space station would occupy a prime location between Diu and Veraval, situated on Gujarat’s western coastline. This region offers logistical and geographic advantages, especially its proximity to the equator, which aids in the more efficient launching of satellites and rockets.
The new launch site is expected to host missions using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SALV) rockets, contributing to both commercial and scientific ventures.
Gujarat is aligning its regional development with national goals by launching its own Space Mission Policy, a state-level initiative that mirrors the central government's strategy. This policy is expected to encourage investments, innovation, and talent development in space science and technology.
By establishing a major space infrastructure project, the state is positioning itself as a space technology hub, which could attract both domestic and international collaborations.
According to Desai, construction and planning activities for the space station are already moving forward at a fast pace. The project will not only involve building launch infrastructure but also support systems for satellite assembly, testing, telemetry, and tracking.
This development aligns with ISRO’s broader goals to diversify its launch capabilities across multiple regions, reducing dependency on a single location and improving turnaround times between missions.
Desai highlighted that around 70% of ISRO's focus is now directed towards communication satellites, navigation systems, and remote sensing applications. These core areas are critical to national development, supporting sectors like agriculture, disaster management, logistics, urban planning, and national security.
The Gujarat-based space station will serve as a strategic hub for these technology deployments, allowing ISRO to conduct more frequent and regionally focused missions.
The announcement also comes at a time when ISRO is ramping up work on several high-profile missions. Desai confirmed that ISRO aims to complete the crewed Gaganyaan mission, Chandrayaan-5 lunar exploration, and the Venus Orbiter Mission by 2026.
With multiple ambitious projects lined up, the new space station will act as a complementary asset in India's expanding space ecosystem, ensuring that the agency can meet increasing demands in both domestic and global markets.
Traditionally, India's major space activities have been centered in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, which houses the country’s primary launch site. However, with the strategic shift to western India, Gujarat is now set to become a key player in India's space exploration and satellite deployment capabilities.
This move could also lead to job creation, STEM education initiatives, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the state, making space technology more accessible and widespread.
Conclusion
The establishment of India’s second-largest space station in Gujarat reflects ISRO’s forward-thinking approach to decentralize infrastructure and optimize mission execution. With strong backing from both central and state governments, and clear goals set for 2026, the Diu-Veraval station could become a game-changer for India’s space dominance in the coming decade.