The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is a rocket launch center located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. The center is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India’s national space agency. The SDSC is named after the Indian aerospace engineer and former ISRO chairman Satish Dhawan.
The SDSC has two launch pads, one for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and one for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The PSLV is used to launch smaller payloads into low Earth orbits, while the GSLV is used to launch larger payloads into geostationary orbits.
The SDSC is responsible for the launch of a wide variety of satellites, including remote sensing, meteorological, navigation, and communication satellites. The center also plays a key role in the Indian space program, including the Chandrayaan lunar exploration mission, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and the upcoming Gaganyaan manned spaceflight mission.
The SDSC is also responsible for the integration and testing of satellites and launch vehicles. The center has state-of-the-art facilities for assembling, integrating and testing of satellite and launch vehicles, including a high altitude chamber for testing satellites in a vacuum environment.
The SDSC also plays a key role in providing range safety and flight safety services for launches. This includes the tracking and monitoring of the launch vehicle, and the destruction of the vehicle in case of an anomaly during launch.
One of the key facilities at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the launch vehicles are assembled and integrated with the satellites. The VAB is one of the largest structures at the SDSC, and can accommodate the assembly of multiple launch vehicles at the same time. The VAB is equipped with cranes, hoists, and other handling equipment to facilitate the movement of the launch vehicles and the integration of the satellites.
Another important facility at the SDSC is the Propulsion Complex, which is responsible for the production of solid and liquid propellants for the launch vehicles. The complex includes facilities for the production of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP), high-test peroxide (HTP), and monomethyl hydrazine (MMH). The complex also includes facilities for the casting and curing of solid propellant motors.
The SDSC also has a state-of-the-art Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) network that is used to track and monitor the launch vehicles and satellites during their missions. The TTC network includes a network of ground stations, ships, and aircraft that are spread across the country and in the surrounding oceanic region to provide continuous coverage of the launch vehicles and satellites. The TTC network is also responsible for sending commands to the satellites and launch vehicles during their missions.
The SDSC also has a number of other facilities, including a satellite integration and testing facility, a cryogenic propulsion test facility, and a high altitude test facility. These facilities are used to test the satellites and launch vehicles before they are launched.
In addition to the launch and testing facilities, the SDSC also has a number of support facilities, including a power plant, a water treatment plant, and a sewage treatment plant. The SDSC also has facilities for housing and feeding the staff and visitors at the center.
The SDSC also plays a key role in the education and outreach efforts of the Indian space program. The center has a visitors’ center that is open to the public, where visitors can learn about the history and achievements of the Indian space program and the role of the SDSC in the program. The center also conducts educational programs for school children and college students, to promote interest in space science and technology.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is a space launch facility located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is named after Indian aerospace engineer Satish Dhawan. The center is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is responsible for the launch of India’s satellite launch vehicles.
The SDSC is equipped with two launch pads, known as the First Launch Pad (FLP) and the Second Launch Pad (SLP). The FLP is used for the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the SLP is used for the launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the GSLV Mk III.
The SDSC is responsible for the assembly and integration of satellite launch vehicles and payloads, as well as the conduct of launch operations. The center also houses facilities for the testing and evaluation of propulsion systems, avionics, and other subsystems.
The SDSC has been instrumental in India’s space program, launching numerous satellites into orbit for a variety of applications such as remote sensing, meteorology, and communications. The center has also been involved in the launch of lunar and interplanetary missions, including the Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission and the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).
The SDSC is also involved in the development of new technologies for satellite launch vehicles. For example, the center is currently working on the development of reusable launch vehicles and semi-cryogenic engines that would significantly reduce the cost of access to space.
In addition to its role in satellite launches, the SDSC also provides support to international customers for the launch of their satellites. The center has launched satellites for more than 20 countries, including France, Germany, Canada, and Singapore.
In addition to its primary responsibilities of satellite launch and assembly, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre also plays a crucial role in the training and development of personnel for India’s space program. The center has a dedicated training facility known as the Training Academy for Space Science and Technology (TASST) which offers various courses for engineers, scientists and technicians in the field of space technology. The training provided at TASST is not only meant for ISRO personnel but also open to engineers, scientists and technicians from various institutions, universities and industries.
The SDSC is also home to the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), which is responsible for the development and production of rocket propulsion systems. The IPRC is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for the testing and evaluation of liquid and solid propulsion systems. The IPRC has played a significant role in the development of the indigenous cryogenic engine and also responsible for production of all the liquid engines used in the GSLV and PSLV launch vehicles.
Another important facility located at SDSC is the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), which is responsible for the development of inertial sensors and systems for use in space applications. The IISU has developed a range of inertial sensors and systems for use in a variety of applications, including satellite navigation, attitude control, and orbit determination.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre also plays a crucial role in the area of satellite remote sensing. The center is home to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), which is responsible for the collection, processing, and dissemination of satellite data for various applications. The NRSC operates a number of remote sensing satellites, including the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series and the Resourcesat series, which provide data on a wide range of applications such as agriculture, forestry, water resources, and mineral exploration.
In recent years, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre has also been involved in the development of reusable launch vehicles (RLV) and semi-cryogenic engines, which are aimed at significantly reducing the cost of access to space. The ISRO has been working on the development of a winged reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator, known as the Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), which was successfully tested in 2016. The RLV-TD is considered as a significant step towards the realization of a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully reusable vehicle.
Apart from these, SDSC also plays an important role in the area of satellite communication and broadcasting. The center operates a number of communication satellites, including the INSAT and GSAT series, which provide a wide range of services such as television and radio broadcasting, telephone and data communication, and meteorological data dissemination.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is a space research center located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is named after the Indian space scientist Satish Dhawan. The center is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is responsible for the launch of satellite and manned missions for India.
SDSC consists of two launch pads, one for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and another for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The center is also equipped with facilities for satellite integration and testing, as well as a Mission Control Center to monitor and control the launches.
SDSC plays a crucial role in India’s space program, being the main launch site for ISRO’s satellite missions. The center has been responsible for launching a number of significant satellites, including the Chandrayaan-1 lunar exploration mission, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), and the South Asia Satellite.
One of the major recent launches from SDSC is the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which aimed to land a rover on the lunar surface and explore the south pole of the moon. Although the rover was not able to land successfully, the mission was still considered a major achievement for ISRO and demonstrated the center’s capabilities.
In addition to satellite launches, SDSC is also involved in developing new technologies and capabilities for the Indian space program. This includes the development of reusable launch vehicles, human spaceflight programs and interplanetary missions.
In addition to its role as a launch site, SDSC also has several other facilities and divisions that support the Indian space program. One of these is the Spacecraft Integration and Testing Establishment (SITE), which is responsible for the integration and testing of satellites before they are launched. This includes testing the satellite’s systems and subsystems, as well as ensuring that it can withstand the conditions of launch and operate in space.
Another important facility at SDSC is the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC). This division conducts research and development in areas such as satellite technology, remote sensing, and space science. SSTC also plays a key role in developing new instruments and payloads for satellite missions, as well as analyzing data from these missions.
In addition to these facilities, SDSC also has a number of labs and divisions that support the center’s operations. These include the Range Safety and Telemetry Tracking Station, the Sriharikota Range Operations Coordination Centre, and the Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network.
The center also has several facilities for training and education, including the ISRO Staff College and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Training Institute. These facilities provide training for ISRO employees and other personnel involved in the Indian space program.
SDSC also plays a key role in the international cooperation in the field of space. The center has worked with several other countries and international organizations on various space projects. For example, it has collaborated with NASA on several missions, including the Mars Orbiter Mission and the ASTROSAT mission.
In addition to these collaborations, SDSC also has a strong relationship with the private sector in India. The center works with a number of Indian companies and startups to develop new technologies and capabilities for the Indian space program. This includes partnerships with companies in areas such as satellite manufacturing and launch services.
Overall, SDSC is an important and multifaceted center that plays a key role in the Indian space program. The center’s facilities and divisions provide a wide range of capabilities and support for the launch of satellites, research and development, training, and international collaboration. It is committed to continue its progress in space technology and exploration in the future.
