ISRO Advanced Radar Research Centre: Foundation Stone Laid at Chandrapur, Assam

Respectable Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on 21st of September 2026 that the foundation stone of ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Centre would be laid at Chandrapur. ISRO chairperson V Narayanan was present at the ceremony. The centre is part of Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis), which strengthens India’s ability to track satellites and debris in orbit. It is the first facility of its kind in Northeast India as per the sources.

What Happened?

The foundation stone was laid on Monday, 21st of September 2026, at the Chandrapur, near Guwahati. Respectable CM Sarma said that this facility would strengthen India’s ability to track objects in space and protect its vital space assets.

Sarma also said the centre would help the country study how space events affect conditions on Earth and provide timely information on rainfall, floods and other disasters. He said the first radar, intended for cloud research, is expected by February 2027.

Key Details of the Centre

• Location: Chandrapur, near Guwahati, Assam
• Land: As per the reports 70 acres. ISRO’s 2025–26 annual report, as cited by other outlets, refers to 67 acres.
• Radar type: phased-array radar, which uses many fixed antenna elements to steer and scan beams electronically without moving parts
• Reported capability: scanning objects as small as 10 cm, with a tracking range of up to 2,000 km
• Other planned systems: a network of ground radars, in addition to ISRO’s existing ground stations
• First radar: intended for cloud research, expected by February 2027

Land and Site Background

• According to the ISRO’s 2025–26 annual report, the land transfer was executed in the month of November 2023, and final registration was completed on 7th of November 2025.

Project NETRA Explained

Project NETRA builds the India’s capability in space situational awareness (SSA). SSA means tracking objects in orbit, predicting their paths and warning satellite operators of possible collisions.

NETRA’s key components are a radar, an optical telescope facility and a centralised control centre. The ISRO SSA Control Centre in Bengaluru has served as the hub since 2020. The system supports space-object tracking, orbit determination, collision-avoidance alerts and monitoring of satellite and rocket-body re-entry.

Reported optical observatories are at Ponmudi, Mount Abu and Leh. India’s earlier tracking radar at Sriharikota is the Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR). The Chandrapur radar is described as India’s first dedicated debris-tracking phased-array radar.

Why the Development Matters

Growing numbers of satellites and debris make collisions more likely. Assam’s position also gives ISRO a vantage point in the east, distinct from its facilities in the west and south. The centre adds to Assam’s share of national strategic infrastructure, and Sarma has noted the state’s growing role in such projects.

Static Facts Related to ISRO and Project NETRA

• ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation, headquartered in Bengaluru
• Parent department: Department of Space
• ISRO chairperson: V Narayanan
• Project NETRA: Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis
• Field: Space situational awareness (SSA)
• SSA Control Centre: Bengaluru (established 2020)
• Foundation stone laid: 21 September 2026, Chandrapur, Assam
• Laid by: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, with ISRO chairperson
• Radar type: Phased-array
• Land registration 7 November 2025