Current Affairs - State - Discussion

The Department of Space has approved the establishment of Space Manufacturing Clusters in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to strengthen India’s space ecosystem. Gujarat’s cluster is located at Khoraj near Ahmedabad and focuses on end-to-end spacecraft, payload systems, and space-based applications. Tamil Nadu’s cluster is set up at Thoothukudi and focuses on manufacturing, testing, and integration of launch vehicle systems, strategically positioned near the upcoming Small Launch Vehicle complex at Kulasekharapatnam. The initiative is anchored by IN-SPACe, which oversees procurement, commissioning, and temporary operation of infrastructure before handing it over to state governments. This move aims to promote decentralised space manufacturing and encourage multiple states to participate in India’s growing space sector.