Gandhinagar: The Department of Space (DoS) on May 22 announced approval for the establishment of common technical facilities for testing, validation, and integration of space infrastructure in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

In Gujarat, the state government has earmarked land at Khoraj near Ahmedabad for the development of a Space Manufacturing Park dedicated to spacecraft production, payload systems, and space-based applications. The proposed cluster is expected to facilitate end-to-end development, integration, and testing of spacecraft components and payload systems.

Gujarat Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das said the upcoming park would serve as a key catalyst for accelerating growth in the space technology manufacturing sector and help the state diversify into another advanced industrial domain.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has identified a land parcel for a Space Vehicles Cluster at Thoothukudi. The approved common technical facilities will be developed within these plug-and-play manufacturing clusters dedicated exclusively to space-related activities.

Chairman of IN-SPACe, Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka, said the development of space systems requires capital-intensive infrastructure, making such shared facilities crucial for building a strong industry-driven space ecosystem in India. He said the facilities would enable private space companies, including startups, MSMEs, and large industries, to access advanced infrastructure without having to establish similar facilities independently.

Goenka added that both clusters have already attracted strong industry interest, supported by investment commitments and participation from private-sector players. He said IN-SPACe would continue working closely with state governments to help the clusters emerge as centres for innovation, investment, and growth.

While the approvals have been granted by the Department of Space, IN-SPACe will oversee the procurement, installation, and commissioning of the technical infrastructure. It will also operate the facilities for a specified period before eventually transferring ownership to the respective state governments. DeshGujarat