In a bold step to secure a spot in the global space economy, Andhra Pradesh has introduced a transformative policy designed to turn the state into a leading manufacturing hub for the space sector. The newly approved Space Policy 4.0 lays out an ambitious plan to attract investments worth ₹25,000 crore over the next decade.
Two Space Cities, One Vision
To support this mission, the state is setting up two large-scale integrated space cities—one in Lepakshi and another in Tirupati—together covering approximately 33,000 acres. According to a senior state official, these hubs will be central to building a space-focused industrial ecosystem capable of drawing in global investors and innovators.
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Part of a Bigger National Push
The timing aligns with India’s larger space ambitions. The central government is targeting a $44 billion space economy by 2033, backed by a proposed ₹1.5 trillion investment in the sector by 2035. Andhra Pradesh’s Space Policy 4.0 is one of the first state-level frameworks in the country designed to contribute directly to this national vision.
Lepakshi: The R&D Powerhouse
Located about 100 km from Bengaluru, Lepakshi has been allocated nearly 30,000 acres. The site’s close proximity to the ISRO R&D ecosystem and established aerospace clusters makes it a strategically sound choice. The city is poised to become a core innovation and manufacturing zone for satellite and launch technologies.
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Tirupati: A Direct Gateway to the Stars
The second city, planned in Routhusurmala village in Chittoor district, will span around 2,800 acres. It will benefit from direct road connectivity to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota—India’s only operational spaceport. This offers a significant edge in logistics and accessibility for launch operations.
Tech Missions, Satellites & More
Through this policy, the state aims to promote the development of satellite constellations, the launch of remote sensing satellites, and the execution of advanced space missions. “The vision is to build a robust space manufacturing ecosystem that attracts global capital,” the official added. The state has its eyes set firmly on making Andhra Pradesh a key node in India’s space value chain by 2035.