India is planning a new Atmospheric and Space Science Research Facility in Odisha, with the Department of Space inviting tenders for a dedicated research building at Chandipur in Balasore district. The proposed centre aims to strengthen scientific investigations into atmospheric conditions and the environment surrounding Earth.
The Atmospheric and Space Science Research Facility (ASRF) is being developed jointly by the Department of Space, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The project is envisioned as a major research site where scientists from different government agencies can collaborate on atmospheric and space-related studies.
Chandipur Facility Builds on Existing Research Infrastructure
The proposed centre will build on the Balasore Rocket Launching Station, which has operated since 1979. The site has been used to launch sounding rockets carrying scientific instruments into the upper atmosphere.
These rockets help researchers collect measurements from atmospheric regions that are difficult to study using ground-based observations alone. Such data can improve understanding of atmospheric processes and conditions in the space environment.
What Will the New Research Facility Do?
The ASRF is intended to support experiments examining atmospheric and space-related phenomena. Research in these areas can contribute to scientific understanding of weather systems, atmospheric conditions and the behaviour of the environment surrounding Earth.
Atmospheric studies are also relevant to understanding how conditions in different layers of the atmosphere affect radio signal propagation and other processes.
The project has been described as a research “super site” involving multiple government agencies. A December 2024 Rajya Sabha reply by Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh identified the Department of Space, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and DRDO as partners in the initiative.
ASRF Project Cost and Construction Timeline
According to the tender issued through the Construction and Maintenance Group at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the proposed building project is estimated to cost ₹9.06 crore.
The estimated expenditure includes ₹5.67 crore for civil and plumbing work, ₹2.97 crore for electrical installations and ₹42 lakh for air-conditioning systems.
Construction is expected to take 15 months from the date the work order is issued.
Tender Dates and Eligibility
Indian contractors can download the tender documents from October 23 to November 12, 2026. The deadline for bid submission is November 20, while technical bids are scheduled to open on November 23.
The tender specifies an earnest money deposit of ₹18.12 lakh, with an exemption for micro and small enterprises.
The proposed facility represents a collaborative effort to expand India's research infrastructure for studying atmospheric processes and the space environment.
For official information, visit the Department of Space.
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