Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the ISRO centre at Thiruvananthapuram that develops launch vehicle technology

Background

ISRO describes the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram as the lead centre of ISRO responsible for the design and development of launch vehicle technology. Its research and development fields include aeronautics, avionics, materials, mechanisms, vehicle integration, chemicals, propulsion, stage separation systems, structures, space physics and systems reliability. The centre has extension centres at Valiamala, which houses major facilities of mechanisms, vehicle integration and testing, and at Vattiyoorkavu, for the development of composites. The Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant has been set up by VSSC at Aluva near Kochi. Its major programmes include the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and Rohini Sounding Rockets, along with reusable launch vehicles, advanced technology vehicles, air-breathing propulsion and critical technologies towards human spaceflight.