India's Rocket Launching Stations: India has emerged as one of the world's leading spacefaring nations, and behind every successful rocket launch is a world-class launch infrastructure. From the iconic Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the southeastern coast to the upcoming state-of-the-art facilities being developed across the country, India's rocket launching stations are the backbone of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) ambitious space programme. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about India's all rocket launching stations — their locations, functions, launch pads, capacity, notable missions, and future plans.
What is a Rocket Launching Station?
A rocket launching station, also known as a spaceport or launch complex, is a facility from which rockets and spacecraft are launched into space. These facilities include launch pads, mission control centres, vehicle assembly buildings, tracking systems, propellant storage facilities, and various support infrastructure required for preparing and launching rockets. India currently operates its primary launch facility on the eastern coast and is rapidly developing additional sites to cater to its growing commercial and scientific space ambitions.
List of India's Rocket Launching Stations
India currently has one primary operational spaceport and several associated launch complexes, with new facilities under active development. Here is the complete list:
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) – Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (Primary Operational Spaceport)
- Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) – Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (Sounding Rockets)
- Rohini Sounding Rocket Station (RSRS) – Thumba, Kerala (Part of TERLS Complex)
- Challakere Space and Defence Technology Park – Karnataka (Under Development)
- Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport – Tamil Nadu (Under Development – Small Satellite Launch Vehicles)
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands Launch Site – Proposed Future Site
1. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) – India's Primary Spaceport
Location and Overview
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, commonly known as SHAR (Sriharikota High Altitude Range), is India's primary and only operational orbital rocket launching station. It is located on Sriharikota Island, in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, on the eastern coast of India, about 100 km north of Chennai. The facility is named after the legendary scientist and former ISRO Chairman Dr. Satish Dhawan, who is regarded as the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India.
The station is spread over an area of approximately 145 sq km and is situated between the Bay of Bengal and Pulicat Lake, which provides a natural buffer zone and ensures safety during launches. Its strategic location close to the equator (approximately 13.9°N latitude) is highly advantageous as rockets launched from near the equator need less fuel to achieve geostationary orbits due to Earth's rotational velocity.
Functions of SDSC-SHAR
- Launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV), and the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3, formerly GSLV Mk III)
- Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant (SPROB) for manufacturing and testing solid propellant boosters
- Static testing of solid rocket motors before actual launches
- Integration and assembly of launch vehicles in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
- Tracking and telemetry operations during launches
- Range operations and safety management during flight
- Fabrication, assembly, and testing of pyrotechnic devices
- Supporting the launch of commercial missions under ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
Launch Pads at SDSC-SHAR
SDSC-SHAR currently has two operational launch pads:
First Launch Pad (FLP):
- Became operational in 1993
- India's first orbital launch pad
- Used for the maiden PSLV flight (PSLV-D1) in 1993
- Handles PSLV and GSLV missions
- Has supported numerous landmark missions including India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1
Second Launch Pad (SLP):
- Became operational in 2005
- More advanced and versatile than the First Launch Pad
- Capable of supporting PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 missions
- Equipped with a Mobile Service Tower (MST) of about 96 metres height
- Supported the historic Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and Gaganyaan test missions
- Has an umbilical tower for fuelling and supporting the launch vehicle during countdown
Third Launch Pad (TLP) – Under Construction:
- India is constructing a Third Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR to support the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and increase launch frequency
- Expected to significantly boost India's annual launch capacity
- Will support heavier payloads and the upcoming human spaceflight Gaganyaan missions
Capacity and Launch Frequency
- SDSC-SHAR can currently support approximately 6 to 8 launches per year with two operational launch pads
- The turnaround time between two launches from the same pad is approximately 45 to 60 days
- With the addition of the Third Launch Pad, India aims to increase its launch frequency to 12 to 15 launches per year
- The facility can handle payloads ranging from small satellites of a few kilograms to heavy communication satellites weighing over 10,000 kg
Notable Missions Launched from SDSC-SHAR
- PSLV-C11 – Chandrayaan-1 (2008): India's first lunar mission that discovered water molecules on the Moon
- GSLV-D5 (2013): First successful flight of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic upper stage
- PSLV-C25 – Mars Orbiter Mission / Mangalyaan (2013): India's first interplanetary mission; India became the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt
- PSLV-C37 (2017): World record of launching 104 satellites in a single mission
- GSLV Mk III-M1 – Chandrayaan-2 (2019): India's second lunar mission
- LVM3-M2 – OneWeb Mission (2022): First fully commercial mission using LVM3
- LVM3-M4 – Chandrayaan-3 (2023): India's third lunar mission; successfully soft-landed on the Moon's south pole — a world first
- PSLV-C57 – Aditya-L1 (2023): India's first solar observatory mission
- TV-D1 (2023): First abort mission test for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme
2. Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) – India's First Rocket Launch Site
Location and Overview
The Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) holds the distinction of being India's first rocket launch station and one of the oldest in Asia. It is located in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, on the southwestern coast of India, very close to the magnetic equator of the Earth. The facility was established in 1963 and the first rocket — a Nike-Apache sounding rocket — was launched from here on 21st November 1963, marking the birth of India's space programme.
TERLS is located at approximately 8.5°N latitude, making it one of the closest launch sites to the geographic equator in the world. This makes it uniquely suited for studying the equatorial ionosphere and atmospheric phenomena using sounding rockets.
Functions of TERLS
- Launching sounding rockets for atmospheric and ionospheric research
- Scientific study of the upper atmosphere, cosmic rays, and the equatorial electrojet
- Testing of newly developed sounding rockets before operational deployment
- Meteorological research and wind measurement at high altitudes
- Training of scientists and engineers in space technology
- Supporting international collaborative research missions
Capacity and Operations
- TERLS primarily handles small sounding rockets and is not used for orbital launches
- The facility launched rockets that helped India understand the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and space environment
- It has been used for research missions in collaboration with NASA, CNES (France), and other international space agencies
- TERLS was declared an international facility by the United Nations in 1968 and was dedicated to the UN for peaceful use of outer space
Historical Significance
The story of TERLS is deeply emotional and historic. In the early days of India's space programme, a local church (St. Mary Magdalene Church) was used as the launch station and a bicycle shed was used to house the rocket parts. Scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme, along with a team of young scientists including Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, literally carried rocket parts on bicycles to the launch site. This humble beginning eventually grew into one of the world's most respected space programmes.
3. Rohini Sounding Rocket Station (RSRS)
Location and Overview
The Rohini Sounding Rocket Station (RSRS) is part of the larger TERLS complex in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is dedicated to the launch of Rohini series sounding rockets developed indigenously by ISRO. These rockets are used extensively for meteorological research, atmospheric studies, and scientific experiments in the upper atmosphere.
Functions of RSRS
- Launching Rohini series sounding rockets (RH-200, RH-300, RH-560, etc.)
- Atmospheric and meteorological research at altitudes of 80 to 500 km
- Testing of indigenously developed propellants and rocket technology
- Training programmes for ISRO scientists and engineers
- Supporting university and research institution experiments in space science
4. Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport – New Launch Site for Small Satellites
Location and Overview
The Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport is India's newest launch facility, currently under development in Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district, Tamil Nadu. This spaceport is specifically designed for launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) and will cater primarily to commercial small satellite launch missions. The spaceport was approved by the Government of India and is being developed by ISRO on a land area of approximately 2,350 acres.
Why Kulasekarapattinam?
- Located at approximately 8.3°N latitude, very close to the equator, making it ideal for launching satellites into Sun-Synchronous Orbits (SSO) with southward launches over the sea
- Launches from here can be done in a southward direction directly over the sea without flying over populated areas, which significantly enhances safety
- Reduces the need for dog-leg manoeuvres (trajectory corrections), saving fuel and increasing payload capacity
- Its proximity to the equator offers significant orbital mechanics advantages for SSO missions
Functions of Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport
- Primary launch site for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions
- Supporting commercial small satellite launch services by ISRO and private players
- Dedicated launch infrastructure for startups under India's liberalised space policy
- Launch of nano, micro, and small satellites for Earth observation, communication, and scientific purposes
Capacity
- Expected to handle up to 24 SSLV launches per year once fully operational
- This will make India one of the most launch-capable countries in the world for small satellite missions
- First launches from this facility are expected in the 2026-2027 timeframe
5. Challakere Space and Defence Technology Park – Karnataka
Location and Overview
The Challakere Space and Defence Technology Park is a massive integrated defence and space facility being developed in Challakere, Chitradurga district, Karnataka. Spread over approximately 10,000 acres, it is one of India's largest science and defence infrastructure projects. ISRO, DRDO, and other strategic organisations are all part of this integrated complex.
Functions
- Research and development of advanced propulsion systems
- Testing and qualification of rocket engines and satellite systems
- Development of advanced aerospace materials
- Integration of defence and space technology research
- Supporting private space companies under India's new space policy
6. Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Proposed Future Launch Site
India has been evaluating the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a potential future launch site. The islands' location at approximately 10–14°N latitude in the Bay of Bengal makes them geographically ideal for launching satellites into a variety of orbits. Launches from here can be directed eastward over the open ocean, which is the ideal direction for maximizing the benefit of Earth's rotational speed for equatorial orbit injections.
Potential Advantages
- Eastward launches over open ocean ensure maximum safety
- Strategic location for launching into both equatorial and inclined orbits
- Can support larger and heavier launch vehicles in the future
- Helps distribute India's launch infrastructure and reduce dependence on a single site
India's Future Launch Vehicle Fleet
The rockets launched from India's spaceports include:
- PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): India's workhorse rocket; 4-stage alternating solid and liquid propulsion; payload capacity of up to 1,750 kg to SSO
- GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle): 3-stage rocket with cryogenic upper stage; payload up to 2,500 kg to GTO
- LVM3 / GSLV Mk III: India's heaviest operational rocket; payload up to 4,000 kg to GTO and 10,000 kg to LEO; used for Chandrayaan-3 and OneWeb missions
- SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle): Lightweight, quick-turnaround rocket for small satellites; payload up to 500 kg to LEO
- NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle): Under development; will be a reusable rocket with payload capacity of up to 30,000 kg to LEO, comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9
India's Space Programme – Key Facts and Achievements
- India became the first country in the world to soft-land on the Moon's south pole with Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023
- India is the fourth country to reach Mars and the first to do so in its maiden attempt (Mangalyaan, 2013)
- ISRO has launched over 400 satellites of 34 different countries
- India set a world record of launching 104 satellites in a single PSLV mission in February 2017
- India is one of only six countries in the world with complete end-to-end space launch capability
- ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is rapidly growing India's commercial launch services market
- India's space economy is expected to grow to USD 44 billion by 2033 from approximately USD 8 billion currently
- The Gaganyaan mission will make India the fourth country in the world to independently send humans to space
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is India's main rocket launching station located?
India's main rocket launching station is the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) located at Sriharikota Island, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 100 km north of Chennai.
How many launch pads does India have at Sriharikota?
India currently has two operational launch pads at SDSC-SHAR — the First Launch Pad (FLP, operational since 1993) and the Second Launch Pad (SLP, operational since 2005). A Third Launch Pad is currently under construction.
What was India's first rocket launch station?
India's first rocket launch station was the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where India launched its very first rocket on 21st November 1963.
What is the new spaceport being built in Tamil Nadu?
The Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu is being developed specifically for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions, with a capacity to handle up to 24 launches per year.
Why is Sriharikota ideal for rocket launches?
Sriharikota is ideal for rocket launches because of its proximity to the equator, its location on the eastern coast allowing rockets to be launched over the sea (which is safer), and the rotational boost provided by Earth's spin that helps satellites reach orbit with less fuel.
How many satellites has India launched in total?
India has launched over 400 satellites belonging to 34 different countries as of 2025, making it one of the leading commercial launch service providers in the world.