The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR is an institution, specifically the primary spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), located on Sriharikota island in Andhra Pradesh. Originally established in 1969 as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), it became operational on October 9, 1971, with the launch of the 'Rohini-125' sounding rocket. The site was chosen by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai to provide a dedicated launch facility on the east coast, leveraging its proximity to the equator for increased launch efficiency and an uninhabited area for safety. The centre was renamed on September 5, 2002, to honor Prof. Satish Dhawan, ISRO's former chairman from 1972 to 1984.
SDSC's core mechanism is to provide comprehensive launch base infrastructure for the Indian Space Programme. Its mandate includes the production of solid propellant boosters, qualification testing of solid rocket motors, and providing launch support for satellites and launch vehicles. The centre features two operational launch pads that support the integration and launch of vehicles like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). It is the launch site for India's major missions, including Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and Chandrayaan-3.
A significant recent change is the approval for the establishment of a Third Launch Pad (TLP) by the Union Cabinet. This new launch pad, with an approved expenditure of ₹3984.86 crore, is being built to cater to heavier launch vehicles like the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and to serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad. This expansion is directly connected to India's future space vision, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040.