India's launch vehicles are designed in Thiruvananthapuram, at ISRO's lead centre

Background

Every Kerala science question paper eventually reaches the space establishment on the State's own soil. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram is ISRO's lead centre for the design and development of launch vehicle technology. Its research covers aeronautics, avionics, materials, mechanisms, vehicle integration, chemicals, propulsion, stage separation systems, structures and space physics. VSSC has extension centres at Valiamala, which houses mechanisms and vehicle integration and testing facilities, and at Vattiyoorkavu for composites. The Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant set up by VSSC is at Aluva near Kochi. Its major programmes include the PSLV, the GSLV, the Rohini Sounding Rockets, GSLV Mk III, reusable launch vehicles and air-breathing propulsion.