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List of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies

Ananya Gupta September 30, 2023 05:22 6912 0

The article below provides a comprehensive list of List of Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies. Know all about the research facilities and space organizations within the country by exploring this resource.

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:

  1. Satellites for Communication and Remote Sensing: These satellites serve communication and remote sensing purposes, aiding in gathering information from afar.
  2. Space Transportation System: India has developed a system to transport payloads into space, enhancing its space capabilities.
  3. 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.

  1. Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma (Soyuz T-11 Vehicle) became the first Indian to journey into space.
  2. Kalpana Chawla, of Indian origin and American nationality, was the first woman from India to venture into space.
  3. The USSR achieved a significant milestone by launching the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957.
  4. ISRO achieved a significant feat with the launch of Aryabhatta, India’s indigenous satellite, on April 19th, 1975, with assistance from the USSR.
  5. Alexei Leonov etched history by becoming the first individual to step into the void of space.
  6. Neil Armstrong carved his name in history as the first person to walk on the Moon.
  7. Laika, the Soviet space dog, gained distinction as the first living being sent to space via the Sputnik-2 spacecraft launched by the USSR.
  8. Yuri A. Gagarin  was the first person to journey to space through the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
  9. 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.
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Space Centres & Indian Space Agencies FAQs

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.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is considered the largest and most prominent space center of ISRO. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram.

The main space centers in India consist of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) situated in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

ISRO stands for the Indian Space Research Organisation. It is India's space agency responsible for planning, executing, and managing space research and exploration activities.

Formerly known as ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, focuses on developing satellite technology and manufacturing.
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