Ahmedabad: The Saurashtra coastline is set for a major space push, with state science and technology minister Arjun Modhwadiya on Friday announcing that a space launching station (spaceport) will come up near Kodinar in Saurashtra.The minister made the announcement while speaking at the launch of a three-day space festival at Science City in Ahmedabad. India marks Aug 23 as National Space Day to commemorate the Chandrayaan III lander Vikram’s landing on the Moon’s south pole in 2023.“Gujarat today is one of the leading states of India in terms of space technology – while Ahmedabad has the headquarters of IN-SPACe, the work is on to establish a new (space) launching station near Kodinar in Saurashtra. Special incentives are given in the state for manufacturing satellites,” Modhwadiya said.Officials from the state Department of Science and Technology (DST) said discussions on the initiative have been underway for some time, as the location is considered conducive for space-related activities. India’s primary spaceport is at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, while work is underway to establish a second at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu.“The work is still in the initial stage – technical assessment and evaluation of the site is being conducted in association with ISRO. After specifications are decided, the further work will commence on the same,” said a senior DST official.Earlier reports had pointed to the coastal stretch between Gir and Kodinar as a potential zone for space-related activity in Gujarat. In March, Modhwadiya had told the assembly that a site was being identified.The state has also seen early private-sector activity in the segment, with a startup conducting what was described as its first “rocket launch” in Dholera earlier this year, when a sounding rocket was fired successfully. Experts estimate 20-plus startups and organisations are working in space technology in the state, while IN-SPACe this year announced a special zone for space tech at Khoraj near Ahmedabad.
