The Department of Space (DoS) has approved the establishment of Common Technical Facilities (CTFs) in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step to deepen India's private-sector space manufacturing ecosystem. Both states have allocated land for dedicated space manufacturing clusters.
Infrastructure for Private Players
The facilities, developed with support from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), will provide shared access to advanced testing, validation, and integration infrastructure. This initiative aims to reduce the capital-intensive burden on individual firms, enabling startups, MSMEs, and large industries to participate more actively in the space sector.
IN-SPACe Chairman's Vision
IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka emphasized that the shared infrastructure model allows private companies to access high-end facilities without independent investment and operation. He stated, "The establishment of CTFs equipped with capital intensive systems is a critical step in creating a robust, industry-led space ecosystem in India." Both clusters have already attracted industry interest and investment commitments.
Gujarat's Space Manufacturing Park
In Gujarat, the state government has identified land at Khoraj, near Ahmedabad, for a Space Manufacturing Park focused on spacecraft, payload systems, and space-based applications. The cluster is expected to support end-to-end development and testing of spacecraft components and payloads. Gujarat chief secretary Manoj Kumar Das noted that the park would act as a strategic enabler for rapid growth in space-tech manufacturing and help the state expand into another advanced industrial sector.
Tamil Nadu's Space Vehicles Cluster
Tamil Nadu plans to establish a Space Vehicles Cluster at Thoothukudi, strategically located near the upcoming small launch vehicle complex at Kulasekharapatnam. The cluster will focus on manufacturing, testing, and integration of launch vehicle systems. Proposed infrastructure includes vibration, shock, pressure, and thermal vacuum testing systems, along with specialized assembly units to support the growing small launch vehicle market.
Funding and Job Creation
Tamil Nadu chief secretary M Sai Kumar announced that DoS has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the Space Vehicle Common Testing Facility Centre at Thoothukudi. The facility will support launch vehicle and satellite assembly while helping space-tech startups and generating high-quality jobs in southern Tamil Nadu.
Model and National Interest
Under the approved model, state governments provide land, buildings, and civic infrastructure, while IN-SPACe procures, installs, and initially operates the technical systems before transferring ownership to the states. About 10 states have expressed interest in establishing similar space manufacturing clusters, signaling growing nationwide competition to build specialized space industrial ecosystems.
