India is expanding its space surveillance infrastructure with a new radar research facility coming up at Chandrapur in Assam. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun work on the facility under its Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis, known as Project NETRA, adding another important ground-based asset to the country’s growing Space Situational Awareness network.
The foundation stone for the Chandrapur facility was laid on September 21, 2026, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The centre is being developed with the aim of strengthening India’s ability to observe and analyse objects operating in and around Earth’s orbit. Its capabilities will be particularly relevant as the number of operational satellites, rocket bodies and fragments of orbital debris continues to increase.
The facility is planned to feature advanced radar systems along with optical telescopes. These systems will provide complementary methods of observing objects in space and studying atmospheric conditions. Radar-based observation can also support tracking when optical systems face limitations because of daylight, weather or other observing conditions.
The Assam government has provided land for the project at Chandrapur, near Guwahati. The site forms part of ISRO’s wider effort to establish a network of sensors capable of providing timely information on objects in orbit. Such infrastructure can help identify potential conjunctions and support safer operations for satellites and other space assets.
The Chandrapur centre will also have applications beyond orbital tracking. A cloud radar planned for the facility is expected to contribute to research involving clouds, rainfall and atmospheric behaviour. Additional radar systems are also planned as the facility develops, increasing its scientific and observational capabilities.
Project NETRA is part of India’s broader effort to build indigenous Space Situational Awareness capabilities. Monitoring the orbital environment has become increasingly important for countries operating large satellite constellations and conducting regular launch missions. Reliable tracking data can help improve the safety and management of space-based infrastructure.
The development also adds a new dimension to Assam’s growing role in national infrastructure. Alongside the ISRO project, the state has recently seen major investment proposals in the energy sector, including Adani Power’s planned 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power project in Dhubri district.
For India, the Chandrapur facility represents another step toward strengthening domestic space-monitoring capabilities. As the country’s space programme expands across scientific, commercial and strategic applications, facilities under Project NETRA are expected to play an increasingly important role in understanding and monitoring the environment around Earth.
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