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Launch services (SSLV, PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 )

DoSISRO has been providing Launch services for customer satellites since 1999 onboard ISRO’s Polar Satellite Vehicle (PSLV). Till June 2019, 319 customer satellites from 33 countries have been launched onboard PSLV on commercial basis through its commercial arm . In September 2016, PSLV C-37 has successfully injected 104 satellites into orbit – the highest number of satellites launched in a single mission so far. PSLV is a versatile vehicle, capable of launching satellites into LEO (Low Earth Orbit) , SSO, Sub-GTO, GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) Orbits. With ISRO operationalising its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and LVM3 and building Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), as a launch on demand Vehicle, NSIL is in a position to offer and expand its launch services. The launches will be accomplished from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), India’s Spaceport, located at Sriharikota, near Chennai. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) employing cryogenic stage is intended to carry heavier satellites of the order of 2200 kg into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO). The heavy lift launcher LVM3 has enhanced the GTO capability to over 4000 kg. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is intended to carry 500 kg satellite to 500km LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Orbit. With the suite of launch vehicles developed and operationalised by ISRO, NSIL offers comprehensive launch solutions – for both Ride Sharing and Dedicated Missions – with a wide variety of flight proven payload separation systems and adaptors developed in-house for all category of satellites. For more details on payload separation system Click here.

Space port

Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta, commonly known as SHAR, situated on the Eastern coast of the country 80km off Chennai, is the Space port of India. SHAR is located just above the equator on the Northern latitude bounded by the vast Indian coast line, making it one of the most ideal launch sites in the world today. The centre has 2 launch complexes – First Launch Pad (FLP) and the Second Launch Pad (SLP)- both possessing state of the art assembly and clean room facilities. SHAR has had a humble beginning in 1971 with the launch of an RH-125 sounding rocket and the centre has come a long way ever since. It currently has Solid Motor Production and Testing facilities that are among the biggest in the world, Propellant Filling and Servicing facilities and state-of-the-art Range Operations for providing reliable Launch Services to the customers. The island has housing facilities for the employees and also has a fully functional Guest house for the customers who visit the island for launch operations.

Launch Complex

SHAR has 2 launch complexes, each capable of providing complete support for vehicle assembly, check out and launch operations for any kind of missions – LEO (Low Earth Orbit) , GEO, Sub-GTO or GTO. The centre also has facilities that can support launch of sounding rockets.

Launch Facilities

SDSC, SHAR provides world class launch infrastructure and has an array of facilities aimed at providing simultaneous preparation and launch of multiple launch vehicles, over the year. The launch complex has end to end support facilities for vehicle assembly.

First Launch Pad

FLP was built in the early 1990’s following the concept of Integrate on the Pad, wherein, after assembling the rocket, a 3200ton Mobile Service Tower (MST), moves backward to it’s parking place.The facility is well equipped to handle the storage, transport and servicing of both earth storable and cryopropellants.FLP was built in the early 1990’s following the concept of Integrate on the Pad, wherein, after assembling the rocket, a 3200ton Mobile Service Tower (MST), moves backward to it’s parking place.The facility is well equipped to handle the storage, transport and servicing of both earth storable and cryo propellants.

  • Launch site : Satish Dhawan Space Centre
  • Launch pad : First Launch Pad (FLP)
  • Location : 13.7330 N, 80.2350 E
  • Operator : ISRO
  • Status : Active
  • Launches : 37

First Launch 20th September 1993, PSLV/IRS-P1

Second Launch Pad

SLP, which became operational in 2005 was conceived and implemented as a facility upgradation to support for the increasing launch demands that ISRO was facing. Built by Mecon Limited, a Govt of India enterprise located at Ranchi, Jharkhand, the SLP follows the Integrate, Transfer and Launch (ITL) concept, wherein, the vehicle after getting assembled on a Mobile Launch Pedestal in the Vehicle Assembly Building(VAB) is moved to the launch pad in a vertical position, on a rail track.The facility can well support Cryogenic and earth storable propellant storage, servicing and transport

  • Launch site : Satish Dhawan Space Centre
  • Launch pad : Second Launch Pad (SLP)
  • Location : 13.71990 N, 80.23040 E
  • Operator : ISRO
  • Status : Active
  • Launches : 24

First Launch 5th May 2005, PSLV/Cartosat-1

The launch services are made available through NSIL. Further details may be obtained here