India’s space programme is supported by a network of specialised space centres, launch sites, tracking stations, and research facilities spread across the country — all under the umbrella of ISRO.
These space centres in India are a recurring topic in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking General Awareness, and State PSC Science & Technology sections. From Sriharikota’s launch pads to Bengaluru’s mission control, this page gives you a complete, updated list of India’s major space centres with their locations, functions, and exam-critical facts for confident revision.
⚡ Quick Facts
- ISRO’s headquarters is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka — at Antariksh Bhavan (“Space Building”).
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh is India’s only operational spaceport and primary launch site.
- India’s first rocket launch was conducted from Thumba (TERLS), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963.
- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram is India’s largest space centre — responsible for all ISRO launch vehicles.
- India is developing a second launch site at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu — specifically for SSLV and commercial launches.
Students confuse VSSC (makes rockets) with URSC (makes satellites) — both are major ISRO centres but serve completely different functions. Also: SDSC-SHAR is in Andhra Pradesh — NOT Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. Another trap: NRSC (satellite data) is in Hyderabad, Telangana — NOT Bengaluru. And the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad predates ISRO — founded in 1947, it is India’s oldest space science institution.
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🛰️ Space Centres in India — Complete List
| # ↕ | Centre / Facility ↕ | State ↕ | City / Location | Primary Function | Key Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISRO HQ (Antariksh Bhavan) | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Policy, planning and administration of entire ISRO | “Antariksh Bhavan” = Space Building; India’s space programme directed from here |
| 2 | Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) | Andhra Pradesh | Sriharikota, Nellore | India’s primary launch site; launch vehicle integration and launch operations | India’s only operational spaceport; all PSLV/GSLV/LVM3 launches from here; named after Dr. Satish Dhawan |
| 3 | Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Design and development of all ISRO launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV, Gaganyaan crew vehicle) | India’s largest space centre; named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (ISRO’s founder) |
| 4 | Space Applications Centre (SAC) | Gujarat | Ahmedabad | Development of space-based applications — communication, remote sensing, navigation payloads | Developed payloads for INSAT, IRS, NavIC, and planetary missions; builds instruments that go inside satellites |
| 5 | ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) | Tamil Nadu | Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli | Testing of liquid propulsion systems and cryogenic engines | Tests rocket engines before they fly; cryogenic engine for GSLV/LVM3 tested here |
| 6 | U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Design, development, and integration of all ISRO satellites | Formerly ISAC; built Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Astrosat, INSAT, IRS, NavIC; named after Dr. U.R. Rao (5th ISRO Chairman) |
| 7 | Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Development of electro-optic sensors and cameras for satellites | Makes high-resolution cameras used in IRS and Cartosat satellites |
| 8 | National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) | Telangana | Hyderabad | Satellite data acquisition, processing, and distribution; remote sensing applications | Operates India’s earth observation satellite data network; disaster management support |
| 9 | Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) | Gujarat | Ahmedabad | Development of education communication systems; EDUSAT operations | Operated EDUSAT satellite services for education across India |
| 10 | ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Design and development of inertial systems — gyroscopes, accelerometers for launch vehicles | Critical for navigation and guidance of all ISRO rockets |
| 11 | Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) | Kerala | Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram | India’s first rocket launching station; now a heritage and science centre | First rocket: 21 Nov 1963 (Nike-Apache from NASA); church used as control room; chosen for proximity to magnetic equator |
| 12 | Master Control Facility (MCF) — Hassan | Karnataka | Hassan | Command and control of geostationary satellites (INSAT, GSAT series) | Controls India’s communication satellites in geostationary orbit; primary MCF |
| 13 | Master Control Facility (MCF) — Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | Backup facility for geostationary satellite control | Back-up MCF; operational since 2005; mirrors Hassan MCF functions |
| 14 | ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking & Command Network) | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Tracking and monitoring of all ISRO satellites and space missions | Operates the ISRO Deep Space Network; tracked Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 |
| 15 | ISRO Deep Space Network Station | Karnataka | Byalalu, near Bengaluru | Deep space tracking — Moon, Mars, interplanetary missions | 32m and 18m dish antennas; tracked Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1 |
| 16 | Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) | Gujarat | Ahmedabad | Fundamental research — space sciences, solar physics, astronomy, planetary science | India’s oldest space science institution (1947); founded by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai; predates ISRO |
| 17 | Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) | Punjab | Mohali | Design and fabrication of semiconductors and microelectronics for space | Under DAE; makes chips and sensors for Indian satellites and defence systems |
| 18 | North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) | Meghalaya | Umiam, near Shillong | Space technology applications for Northeast India | Remote sensing for agriculture, flood mapping, disaster management in NE India |
| 19 | New Spaceport — Kulasekarapattinam (under dev.) | Tamil Nadu | Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi | India’s second launch site — for SSLV and commercial launches | India’s second spaceport; ~8.5°N latitude (closer to equator than Sriharikota); enables rapid commercial launches under IN-SPACe |
| 20 | Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) | Kerala + Karnataka | Thiruvananthapuram & Bengaluru (two campuses) | Development of liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems for all ISRO rockets | Developed the CE-20 cryogenic engine used in LVM3 (which launched Chandrayaan-3) |
🏭 ISRO’s Division of Labour — Most-Tested Cluster
The VSSC–URSC–IPRC–SAC division is one of the most commonly tested groupings in UPSC Science & Technology questions.
| Centre | Location | What It Makes / Does | Key Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSSC | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | 🚀 Designs & builds ROCKETS (Launch Vehicles) | PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV, Gaganyaan crew vehicle |
| URSC | Bengaluru, Karnataka | 🛰️ Designs & builds SATELLITES | Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Astrosat, INSAT, IRS, NavIC |
| IPRC | Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu | 🔥 TESTS rocket engines | Cryogenic engine testing; liquid propulsion testing |
| SAC | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 📡 Builds PAYLOADS & instruments inside satellites | Sensors for INSAT, IRS, NavIC, Chandrayaan payloads |
| SDSC-SHAR | Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh | 🚀 LAUNCHES rockets | All major ISRO missions; two launch pads |
| NRSC | Hyderabad, Telangana | 🗂️ Processes & distributes satellite DATA | Earth observation data; disaster management support |
🧑🚀 Key ISRO Personalities & Their Associated Centres
| Personality | Role / Distinction | Centre Named After Them | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Vikram Sarabhai | Founder of ISRO (1969); 1st & 2nd Chairman | VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram | Founded ISRO; founded PRL (1947, Ahmedabad); initiated space programme; chose Thumba for India’s first launch |
| Dr. Satish Dhawan | 3rd ISRO Chairman (1972–1984) | SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota | Transformed ISRO into a professional agency; oversaw first PSLV development; took moral responsibility after SLV-3 failure (let Kalam take credit for success) |
| Dr. U.R. Rao | 5th ISRO Chairman (1984–1994) | URSC, Bengaluru | Championed satellite applications; oversaw INSAT and IRS programmes; built India’s satellite capability |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | “Missile Man of India”; DRDO + VSSC | No ISRO centre named; Wheeler Island (DRDO) named after him | Directed SLV-3 (India’s first indigenous rocket); later headed DRDO and became President of India (2002–2007) |
⚖️ Compare Two Space Centres
📝 Key Notes & Memory Tips
Located on Sriharikota island, off the coast of Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh (on the shores of Pulicat Lake). Has two launch pads (FLP and SLP). All major ISRO launches — PSLV, GSLV, LVM3 — are conducted from here. Named after Dr. Satish Dhawan, ISRO’s 3rd chairman (1972–1984). Located at ~13.9°N latitude — proximity to the equator is strategically ideal — Earth’s rotational speed provides a natural boost to launch vehicles headed for geostationary orbit.
- VSSC (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala): Makes ROCKETS — PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV, Gaganyaan crew vehicle; India’s largest space centre
- URSC (Bengaluru, Karnataka): Makes SATELLITES — Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Astrosat, INSAT, IRS, NavIC; formerly ISAC
- IPRC (Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu): TESTS rocket engines before flight; developed CE-20 cryogenic engine
- SAC (Ahmedabad, Gujarat): Makes PAYLOADS — instruments and sensors inside satellites
- One-line memory: VSSC = Rockets | URSC = Satellites | IPRC = Tests | SAC = Payloads
India’s first rocket was launched from Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram on 21 November 1963 — a Nike-Apache sounding rocket provided by NASA. The facility was entirely makeshift: a church (St. Mary Magdalene Church) served as the launch control room, a bishop’s house was the director’s office, and a cow shed was the workshop. The rocket was transported in pieces on a bicycle. Thumba was chosen because it lies close to the Earth’s magnetic equator, ideal for ionospheric research. Today, TERLS is a heritage site converted into the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC).
India is constructing a second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district, Tamil Nadu. Designed specifically for: (a) SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) missions with quick turnaround, and (b) reducing pressure on SDSC-SHAR. Located at ~8.5°N latitude — even closer to the equator than Sriharikota (13.9°N), giving it a fuel efficiency advantage for equatorial orbits. Reflects increasing commercialisation under IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre).
PRL in Ahmedabad, Gujarat was founded in 1947 — two years before ISRO — by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. It is India’s oldest space science institution, conducting fundamental research in space sciences, solar physics, astronomy, and planetary science. PRL’s paleo-climate lab is also internationally recognised. It predates not only ISRO (1969) but also India’s formal space programme, representing the very beginning of India’s scientific engagement with space.
“Sriharikota Launches, Bengaluru Satellites, Thiruvananthapuram Rockets, Ahmedabad Applications, Hyderabad Data, Mahendragiri Tests”
S = Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR — Launches) | B = Bengaluru (URSC, ISTRAC, ISRO HQ — Satellites & Control) | T = Thiruvananthapuram (VSSC, TERLS, LPSC — Rockets) | A = Ahmedabad (SAC, PRL — Applications & Research) | H = Hyderabad (NRSC — Data) | M = Mahendragiri (IPRC — Engine Testing)
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Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) at Sriharikota is located in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh on the southeastern coast, on the shores of Pulicat Lake. It is India’s only operational spaceport and launch site for all major ISRO missions. It was renamed in honour of Dr. Satish Dhawan, ISRO’s third chairman.
VSSC in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is India’s largest space centre and designs all ISRO launch vehicles — PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV, and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight crew vehicle. It is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of India’s space programme. URSC builds satellites; IPRC tests engines; SAC makes payloads.
India’s first rocket — a Nike-Apache sounding rocket provided by NASA — was launched from TERLS in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963. The facility used a church as a control room. Thumba was chosen for its proximity to the Earth’s magnetic equator, ideal for ionospheric research. TERLS is now a heritage site.
URSC (formerly ISAC — ISRO Satellite Centre) is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It designs, develops, and integrates all ISRO satellites — including Chandrayaan missions, Mangalyaan (MOM), Astrosat, INSAT/GSAT communication satellites, IRS remote sensing satellites, and NavIC navigation satellites. It is named after Dr. U.R. Rao, the 5th Chairman of ISRO.
India’s second spaceport is being developed at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district of Tamil Nadu. It is designed for SSLV and commercial launches. At approximately 8.5°N latitude, it is even closer to the equator than Sriharikota (13.9°N), giving it a slight advantage for equatorial orbits. It reflects the commercialisation of India’s space sector under IN-SPACe.
✅ Key Takeaways
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
India’s primary launch site is Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), located on Sriharikota island in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. It is India’s only operational spaceport and has been the launch site for all major ISRO missions — PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and commercial satellite launches. The centre has two launch pads. It is named after Dr. Satish Dhawan, ISRO’s third chairman. A second spaceport is under development at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu for SSLV and commercial launches.
India’s space programme is supported by several specialised centres: VSSC (Thiruvananthapuram) designs all launch vehicles. URSC (Bengaluru) designs and builds all satellites. IPRC (Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu) tests propulsion systems. SAC (Ahmedabad) develops payloads and instruments inside satellites. NRSC (Hyderabad) processes and distributes satellite data. ISTRAC (Bengaluru) tracks satellites in orbit. MCF Hassan and MCF Bhopal control geostationary satellites. PRL (Ahmedabad) is India’s oldest space science institute. Together, these centres cover the full lifecycle — design, build, launch, track, and apply.
India’s first rocket launch on 21 November 1963 from Thumba, Kerala, is one of the most inspiring stories in India’s scientific history. The facility was entirely makeshift — a church (St. Mary Magdalene Church) served as launch control, a bishop’s house was the director’s office, and a cow shed was the workshop. The Nike-Apache sounding rocket from NASA was transported in pieces on a bicycle. The site was chosen because it lies close to the Earth’s magnetic equator, ideal for ionospheric research. The driving force was Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who convinced the Church and local community to support India’s fledgling space programme. This humble beginning grew into one of the world’s most respected space agencies.
ISRO’s space centres are tested in UPSC Prelims (Science & Technology), SSC CGL, Banking General Awareness, and State PSC exams — particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala state exams. Key tested facts include India’s launch site (SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh), India’s first rocket location (TERLS, Thumba, Kerala, 1963), the VSSC–URSC–IPRC–SAC division of functions, ISRO’s HQ (Antariksh Bhavan, Bengaluru), the second launch site (Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu), and the names and locations of MCF Hassan, NRSC Hyderabad, and PRL Ahmedabad. The Thumba church story and the equatorial advantage of launch site selection are particular favourites in competitive exams.
