ISRO will conduct three more test vehicle missions under the ambitious Gaganyaan programme after the maiden TV-D1 test flight, which is scheduled on October 21, the space agency's chairman S Somanath has said. "The first test vehicle flight (of the Gaganyaan mission) will be conducted on October 21. We will hold thorough tests during the test flight sequence," Somanath, who is also the secretary, Department of Space, told reporters in Madurai on Saturday. "…right now bigger rockets like PSLV need to take a turn towards the southward direction above Sri Lanka since the launch pad is in the east (in Sriharikota). "Smaller Satellite Launch Vehicles and private players will be able to use that launch pad (in Kulasekarapattinam).

Source: The Telegraph October 15, 2023 15:48 UTC