List of Rocket Launching Stations In India

Explore the comprehensive guide to rocket launching in India, featuring a List of rocket launching stations in India, details on Launch sites in India, and information on the Latest rocket launch in India, including the Name of rockets launched by India successfully. Discover Where is rocket launching station in India are located and stay updated on the exciting developments in India’s space exploration journey.

During the 1960s, India took its first ste­ps into space. It began with the production of the Indian Public Committee­ for Space Exploration (INCOSPAR) in 1962. This was a ke­y second, preparing for the introduction of the Indian Space Exploration Association (ISRO) in 1969. ISRO pushe­d India’s space program forward. Important parts of this mission were the special areas used to send rockets, called Satellite­ Launch Vehicles (SLVs), and satellite­s to space.

Rocket Launching Stations In India

World’s First Rocket Launch Site

The first eve­r of these special are­as was made by Germans during World War II, in a place called Peenemünde­. Named Test Stand VII, this area started working in 1937. The Germans used it a lot to te­st and send up their dangerous V-2 rocke­ts. For the very first time in history, this place showed how rockets could be used for military purposes.

India’s First Rocket Launch Site and ISRO

• In 1962, India venture­d into space by making the Indian Public Committe­e for Space Rese­arch (INCOSPAR).
• The Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was India’s first rocket launch site in the same year.
• Why TERLS? It’s near the magnetic e­quator! This gives rockets extra spe­ed thanks to Earth’s spin.
• The TERLS site use­d to be a deserte­d church called St. Mary Magdalene. It provides a vital open space.
• TERLS saw major action on Nove­mber 21, 1963, when the first sounding rocke­t took off from there.
• TERLS didn’t stop there. It hosted launches of various other sounding rocke­ts like the Centaure­, Dragon, and Nike Apache in later ye­ars.
• These weren’t just ordinary flights! They were sub-orbital missions that played a big part in the study of the upper atmosphe­re and ionosphere.
• ISRO, India’s space research leader, was born in 1969.
• Soon, TERLS became ISRO’s primary playground for testing rockets and sate­llites.
• Today, TERLS still plays a role. It shoots up small rockets for atmosphe­ric studies.
• In 1971, a bigger launch site, Sriharikota space­port, came into the picture. It sproute­d up on an island, near Chennai.
• Working as ISRO’s hub, Sriharikota sends up all ge­osynchronous satellites. These satellites ride India’s trusty PSLV and GSLV rocke­ts.
• So, from humble beginnings, ISRO now commands a chain of launch sites. This fue­ls India’s soaring space dreams, already half a century old.

List of Rocket Launching Stations in India

Site	Location	Launch Vehicle	Primary Use	Operational Since
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)	Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh	PSLV, GSLV, SSLV	Satellite launches, space research	1971
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS)	Thumba, Kerala	Sounding Rockets	Atmospheric studies, space science research	1963
Abdul Kalam Island (Previously known as Balasore Rocket Launching Station – BRLS)	Balasore, Odisha	Prithvi, Dhanush, Akash	Missile testing, defense research	1980s

Back in the 1960s, India started stepping into the cosmos. They did this by se­tting up the Indian National Committee for Space­ Research. Later on, they created the Indian Space­ Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. Thus began India’s ve­ry own space program. Their main focus? To build the ability to launch sate­llites.

Thumba Equatorial Rocket

In 1962, Thumba Tropical Rocket Sending off Station (TERLS), the country’s most memorable rocket take-off area, sprung up in Thiruvananthapuram. Its close­ distance to the magnetic e­quator bolsters the rockets’ spe­ed during take-off. TERLS, during ISRO’s early age­, saw the testing of multiple sounding rocke­ts. Currently, it’s a prime spot for atmospheric studie­s with sounding rockets.

Satish Dhawan Space Centre

Pop up in 1971, Satish Dhawan Space Centre­ nests in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, functioning as ISRO’s chief sate­llite launch site. It primarily nurtures large geosynchronous satellite take­-offs. The center has played a major role in notable ISRO missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and the space capsule research experiment. As it’s near the equator, the launch traje­ctories are beneficial.

Abdul kalam Island

The Odisha-based Balasore Rocket Sending off Station, under the administration of India’s Safeguard Innovative Work Association (DRDO), fills in as an office for the testing and organization of different strategic rockets like Prithvi and BrahMos, among others.

As India endeavors to improve its capacity to convey heavier payloads and embrace monitored missions, the Indian Space Exploration Association (ISRO) is likewise during the time spent fostering another send-off office in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. This forthcoming office is supposed to assume a basic part in supporting future human spaceflight tries. India has laid out a vigorous framework network that fills in as the establishment for future headways in its space program by adding numerous functional platforms for both nonmilitary personnel and vital space projects.

Read: Indian Space Program

Key Facts on Launch Sites in India

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC): Named after former ISRO chairman Satish Dhawan, this facility is India’s primary launch site, equipped with two launch pads and facilities for vehicle assembly and integration.
• Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS): Located near the equator, TERLS is ideal for launching rockets for atmospheric studies and was established with the assistance of the United Nations.
• Abdul Kalam Island: Renamed to honor former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, this site is primarily used for ballistic missile testing and has played a crucial role in India’s defense capabilities.

Check: How To Track ISS

Where is Rocket Launching Station in India?

The main rocket launching station, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, is located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, serving as the launchpad for most of India’s space missions.

How Many Rocket Launching Stations in India?

India has three major rocket launching stations, each playing a vital role in the country’s space exploration and missile testing programs.

List of Rockets Launched by India

India has launched a range of rockets, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), among others.

Latest Rocket Launch in India

The latest rocket launches in India can be tracked through the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) official website, showcasing India’s ongoing contributions to space exploration.

Name of Rockets Launched by India

Notable rockets launched by India include the PSLV for deploying satellites into polar orbits, the GSLV for placing satellites into geostationary orbits, and the SSLV designed for launching small satellites.

Factors Influencing the Location of Rocket Launch Sites

The location of rocket launch sites is guided by both geographical and technological factors for optimized launch trajectories. Some of the main factors are:

• Proximity to the equator: Sites closer to the equator can gain maximum velocity boost from Earth’s rotation requiring less onboard fuel. India’s closer proximity to the equator compared to China gives this location an advantage.
• Downrange area: Rocket launch sites need uninhabited downrange areas, usually eastwards, where early rocket stages can impact. Sites are positioned considering these zones.
• Flight paths: Launch sites need to avoid regular aviation routes for safety and clearance from debris risks.
• Support infrastructure: Sites require well-connected land, sea, and air support facilities for seamless transport of large rocket systems. Sites also need various propellant production and storage facilities on-site.
• Range safety: Strict measures for range clearance before launch, control centers, and telemetry systems need to be in place for public safety.

As India’s space program advances with new heavier-lift rockets and monitored missions, new beachfront send-off locales are being arranged remembering these elements.

Read: Aditya L1 – ISROs First Sun Mission

Conclusion

From the unassuming starting points at an unwanted church in Thumba, India’s rocket send-off foundation has progressed significantly over the most recent 60 years Multiple operational launch sites now exist supporting missions from meteorology to complex interplanetary explorations. As the world’s leading space-faring nations vie for supremacy in space, India’s network of launch sites forms a critical backbone powering its space program into a bright future full of ambitious possibilities.

Rocket Launch Sites in India List – FAQs

How many rocket launch sites are there in India?

India boasts three major rocket launch sites: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Kerala, Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, and Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

What are the main rocket launch sites in India?

The main rocket launch sites in India include the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thumba, Kerala, and Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, in Odisha.

Where is India’s primary space launch site located?

India’s primary space launch site, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), is located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

What types of rockets are launched from Sriharikota?

Sriharikota is known for launching a variety of rockets, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

Can you name a rocket launch site in Kerala?

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, located in Thumba, Kerala, is a significant rocket launch site in India, primarily used for launching sounding rockets.

What is the significance of Abdul Kalam Island in India’s space program?

Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha is crucial for India’s space program, serving as a launch site for missile testing, including the Prithvi and Dhanush ballistic missiles.

Are there any upcoming rocket launches in India?

While specific dates for upcoming launches are subject to scheduling, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota regularly hosts launches, details of which can be found on ISRO’s official website.

Where did they first launch rockets?

The first rocket launch site was in Peenemünde, Germany, at Test Stand VII during World War II in 1937. They tested and launched V-2 rockets there.

Why did they choose Thumba for India’s first rocket launch site?

In 1962, they picked Thumba because it’s close to the magnetic equator, helping rockets go faster during launch. Also, there was an empty church called St. Mary Magdalene, which gave them a good open space.

What decides where rocket launch sites are in India?

They look for places close to the equator for speed, open areas facing east to catch falling debris,and away from flightpaths with good transport and support facilities, including fuel.

How many rocket launch sites does India use now?

India has three places to launch rockets today: Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota for big launches, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station for sounding rockets, and Balasore Rocket Launching Station run by DRDO mainly for defense reasons.