Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC-SHAR)
Author: Tianjiang Says
Source: Feng Songjiang et al. (2021), "Analysis of the Development and Strategic Priorities of India's Space Power" (in Chinese)
Site: https://cislunarspace.cn
Definition
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC-SHAR) is the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) primary space launch facility, located on Sriharikota Island along the east coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. The launch centre serves as an important base for India's satellite launches, lunar missions, and deep space exploration.
Basic Information
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sriharikota Space Centre - Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Abbreviation | SDSC-SHAR |
| Location | Sriharikota Island, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Operating Agency | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Primary Purpose | Satellite launch, lunar missions, deep space exploration |
Launch Facilities
The Sriharikota launch centre has the following major facilities:
- First Launch Pad: Used for PSLV and GSLV rocket launches
- Second Launch Pad: Used for large rocket launch missions
- Third Launch Pad (Planned): For future human spaceflight launch missions
- Vehicle Assembly Building: Used for rocket assembly
- Launch Control Centre: Responsible for launch command and control
- Tracking Station: Provides rocket flight trajectory tracking
Launch Capabilities
The Sriharikota launch centre supports multiple types of launch missions:
- Near-Earth Orbit (LEO): Supports various low Earth orbit satellite launches
- Polar Orbit: Supports sun-synchronous orbit satellite launches (PSLV)
- Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO): Supports communication satellite launches (GSLV)
- Lunar Transfer Orbit: Supports lunar missions such as Chandrayaan
- Mars Transfer Orbit: Supports Mars exploration missions such as Mangalyaan
Notable Launch Missions
The Sriharikota launch centre has carried out numerous important missions:
- 104 satellites in one launch (2017): Set the world record at the time
- Chandrayaan-1 (2008): India's first lunar probe
- Mangalyaan (2013): India's Mars orbiter
- Anti-satellite test (2019): India's first ground-based anti-satellite test
Future Development
India plans to expand the Sriharikota launch centre:
- Third Launch Pad: New construction for future human spaceflight launch missions
- Small Satellite Launch Pad: A new small satellite launch vehicle pad is planned at a site in Gujarat to share the launch workload
Space Situational Awareness Facilities
The Sriharikota launch centre also hosts India's first dedicated ground-based multi-object tracking radar:
- Radar Type: Phased array technology
- Tracking Capability: Simultaneously tracks 10 objects of 30 cm in size within an 800 km range
- Detection Capability: Can detect objects of 50 cm in size at distances up to 1,000 km
Related Concepts
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
References
- Feng Songjiang, Chang Zhuang, Wang Qian. Analysis of the Development and Strategic Priorities of India's Space Power. 2021. (in Chinese)