Sriharikota (or Sriharikote) Island is a barrier island off the coast of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Sriharikota Island houses India`s only satellite launch center. The Space Centre, which was popularly known as SHAR (Sriharikota Range), was renamed as 'Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR' on 5th September, 2002, in the fond memory of Prof. Satish Dhawan, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota has been the site of satellite launch by the Indian space Agency, ISRO. Sriharikota and the surrounding region could very well become Space coast of India.
Even though India is not sending man in space, at least for now, there are several satellite launches every year using multi-stage rockets such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
Sriharikota Island separates the Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal, and is home to the bustling town of Pulicat. It is located at Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh.
SHAR covers a total area of about 145 km2 with a coastal length of 27 km. Prior to its acquisition for ISRO by the Indian Government, its was a firewood plantation of Eucalyptus and Casuarina trees. This island is affected by both south-westerly and north-easterly monsoons, but heavy rains come only in October and November. Thus many clear days are available for out-door static tests and launchings.
SHAR has the necessary infrastructure for launching satellite into low earth orbit, polar orbit and geostationary transfer orbit. The launch complexes provide complete support for vehicle assembly, fuelling, checkout and launch operations. Apart form these, it has facilities for launching sounding rockets meant for studying the earth’s atmosphere. Achievements include establishment of launch complexes for Sounding rockets, SLV- 3, ASLV and PSLV. Launch complex augmented for GSLV.
As for now, entering the space station is not that easy and tourists who are interested in viewing the satellite launch have to park their vehicles half mile away from the space station.
One can get around this space centre only if you have prior permissions or if you know any of the employees working here. However, you can still watch the launch from outside the entrance of the Satish Dhawan Space Station, half kilometre from the space station in the direction of the Space Station entrance.
VISITING PLACES:
Some of the places to visit near Sriharikota :
- Pulicat lake
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary about 15 Kms,
- Vedurpattu for Birds about 12 Kms,
- Venadu (140 Feet long Sepulcher) about 25 Kms,
- Sri Chengalam Temple in Sullurpeta,
- Srikalahasti about 40 Km
HOW TO GET THERE?
- Sriharikota Island is linked to Sullurupeta by a road across Pulicat Lake.
- Sullurupeta is on a national highway that connects it to Chennai and Kolkata.
- The nearest town to Sriharikota Island is Sullurpeta, which has the railway station.
Since ISRO is also planning to send satellite to Mars, Moon, Sun and a manned mission to moon in the near future. The region could easily become hotspot for the tourists just like the Space Coast in Florida.
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