List Of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies

Space Centres in India

Space research endeavors in India took root during the early 1960s, a time when first satellite-based applications were being tested in the United States. The significance of space technologies for India became evident when the American Satellite ‘Syncom-3’ facilitated the live broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics. This event enlightened Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, often regarded as the pioneer of India’s space program, about the potential benefits of space technologies.

The inaugural step involved the establishment of INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) in 1962, led by Dr. Sarabhai and Dr. Ramanathan. Subsequently, on August 15, 1969, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed with a primary focus on space technology and its application to address diverse national requirements. Emerging as one of the world’s six major space agencies, ISRO was incorporated into the Department of Space (DOS) on June 1, 1972.

Since its formation, the Indian space program has encompassed three key elements:

Satellites for Communication and Remote Sensing: These satellites serve communication and remote sensing purposes, aiding in gathering information from afar.
Space Transportation System: India has developed a system to transport payloads into space, enhancing its space capabilities.
Application Programs: These initiatives apply space technology to practical fields, yielding tangible benefits.

Prominent operational systems include the Indian National Satellite (INSAT), facilitating telecommunication, television broadcasting, and meteorological services, and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS), enabling the monitoring, conservation, and management of natural resources, along with disaster management support.

List of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies

Below is the compilation of Space Center Names List for the year 2023. The candidates preparing for UPSC are advised to carefully review the provided table to familiarize themselves with the All Space Research Centers in 2023.

Indian Space Research Centers & Agencies
S.No.	Space Centres and Agency	Location
1	ISRO branch officeDOS branch secretariat Delhi earth station	New Delhi
2	Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia-Pacific (CSSTEAP)Indian Institute of Remote Sensing	Dehradun
3	Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC)Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN)	Byalalu
4	Eastern RRCC	Kolkata
5	ISTRAC Ground Station	Lucknow
6	Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL)	Chandigarh
7	Master Control Facility-B (MCF)	Bhopal
8	Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant	Aluva
9	NMRF-National Atmospheric Research Laboratory	Tirupati
10	NRSA or NRSC – National Remote Sensing Agency /Centre	Hyderabad
11	North Eastern Space Application Centre	Shillong
12	ISRO Propulsion Complex	Mahendra Giri
13	Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SHAR	Sriharikota
14	Down Range Station	Port Blair
15	Master Control Facility	Hassan
16	Liquid Propulsion Systems CentreVikram Sarabhai Space Centre ISRO Inertial Systems Unit Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology	Thiruvananthapuram
17	ISRO Liaison office	Mumbai
18	Infrared Observatory	Mount Abu
19	Western RRSC – Regional Remote Sensing Centre	Jodhpur
20	Solar Observatory	Udaipur
21	Space CommissionU R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) Department of Space and ISRO Headquarters Laboratory for Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) Civil Engineering Programme Office Laboratory for Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) Southern RRSC NNRMS Secretariat- National Natural Resources Management System INSAT Program Office New Space India Limited (NSIL) Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre Antrix Corporation	Banglore
22	Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Development & Educational Communication Unit Space Application Centre (SAC)	Ahmedabad

Indian Space Research Centres – Salient Points

Candidates preparing for competitive examinations to gain comprehensive knowledge about the country’s Centers for Space Research and Development. This topic bears significance in the General Awareness segment of various competitive exams and in the Science & Technology section of UPSC examinations.

Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma (Soyuz T-11 Vehicle) became the first Indian to journey into space.
Kalpana Chawla, of Indian origin and American nationality, was the first woman from India to venture into space.
The USSR achieved a significant milestone by launching the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957.
ISRO achieved a significant feat with the launch of Aryabhatta, India’s indigenous satellite, on April 19th, 1975, with assistance from the USSR.
Alexei Leonov etched history by becoming the first individual to step into the void of space.
Neil Armstrong carved his name in history as the first person to walk on the Moon.
Laika, the Soviet space dog, gained distinction as the first living being sent to space via the Sputnik-2 spacecraft launched by the USSR.
Yuri A. Gagarin was the first person to journey to space through the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
Valentina Tereshkova achieved a monumental feat by becoming the first woman in space through the Vostok-6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963.

Space Centres in India Significance

India is home to several prominent space centers that have played a crucial role in the nation’s pursuits of space exploration and research. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) takes the lead in orchestrating India’s space programs and operates multiple space centers scattered across the country. A highly esteemed facility among them is the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), which is situated in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It stands as the principal launch site for India’s satellite missions and houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR. This inclusive facility accommodates the launch of satellites into both polar and geostationary orbits.

Adding to this roster is the renowned Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. VSSC is devoted to crafting and refining rocket propulsion systems, featuring state-of-the-art testing infrastructure. These significant space centers, in conjunction with entities like the Space Applications Centre (SAC) and the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), constitute the bedrock of India’s forays into space research and exploration. Together, they drive innovation in satellite technology, remote sensing, and space science, shaping the trajectory of India’s space ambitions.

Major Milestones of the Indian Space Programme

The Indian Space Programme is all about how India explores and uses space for various purposes. It includes things like creating and sending satellites into space to help with communication, weather prediction, looking at Earth from above, and doing scientific experiments. The Indian space program has achieved remarkable milestones over the years. Here are some significant accomplishments:

The Satellite Telecommunication Earth Station was established in Ahmedabad on January 1, 1967.
India conducted its inaugural indigenous sounding rocket launch, RH-75, on November 20, 1967.
On April 19, 1975, India saw the launch of its first domestic satellite, Aryabhata, which took place in the former Soviet Union. This event laid the foundation for India’s satellite technology knowledge and design capabilities.
In its forty-third flight (PSLV-C41) in XL configuration, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle launched the IRNSS-1I Satellite on April 12, 2018. This marked the twentieth use of the ‘XL’ configuration for PSLV. IRNSS-1I joined the NavIC navigation satellite constellation as its eighth member.
On September 16, 2018, PSLV-C42 successfully deployed two foreign satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. These satellites, NovaSAR and S1-4, had a combined weight of around 889 kg and were intended for earth observation.
Taking off on November 29, 2018, from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in Sriharikota, PSLV-C43 accomplished the successful launch of India’s Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and 30 international co-passenger satellites.
On November 5, 2013, PSLV-C25 achieved a successful launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) Spacecraft from Sriharikota, marking a significant step in India’s space achievements.

Related Links
Chief Ministers of Delhi	High Courts in India
Finance Ministers of India	Prime Ministers of India

How many space centers are there in India?

India has several space centers that are operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The exact number may vary slightly due to ongoing developments and changes. However, at that time, there were around 21 major ISRO centers spread across the country, focusing on various aspects of space research, technology development, satellite manufacturing, launch vehicle development, and more.

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List of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies

Space Centres in India

List of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies

Indian Space Research Centres – Salient Points

Space Centres in India Significance

Major Milestones of the Indian Space Programme

Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies FAQs

How many space centers are there in India?

Which is the largest Space Centre of ISRO?

What are the main space centers in India?

What does ISRO stand for?

What is the significance of the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)

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