Two launch pads and a sounding rocket pad: the spaceport of India in Andhra Pradesh

Background

Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, at Sriharikota in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh, is described by the Indian Space Research Organisation as the Spaceport of India. It is responsible for providing launch base infrastructure for the Indian space programme, and has facilities for solid propellant processing, static testing of solid motors, launch vehicle integration and launch operations, and range operations comprising a telemetry, tracking and command network and a mission control centre.

The centre has two launch pads from where the rocket launching operations of PSLV and GSLV are carried out. Its mandate is to produce solid propellant boosters for the launch vehicle programmes of ISRO; to provide the infrastructure for qualifying various subsystems and solid rocket motors and carrying out the necessary tests; and to provide launch base infrastructure for satellites and launch vehicles.

SDSC SHAR also has a separate launch pad for launching sounding rockets, and provides the launch base infrastructure for the sounding rockets of ISRO, including assembly, integration and launch of sounding rockets and payloads.