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.