RAS question
Which is the launch site for ISRO's rockets?
Correct answer: (D) Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
ISRO's rockets are launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, India's primary spaceport.
Explanation
The launch site is the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ISRO identifies SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, as the Spaceport of India and says it provides launch-base infrastructure for the Indian Space Programme. Its facilities cover launch-vehicle integration, launch operations, range operations, telemetry, tracking and command support, and mission control. India's major operational space launches, including PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 missions, are associated with Sriharikota, not with an administrative city or a missile test range. Sriharikota functions as ISRO's launch base, while other Indian space or defence locations have different institutional roles.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Thumba is associated with sounding rockets, while ISRO's orbital launch base for major rockets is SDSC SHAR at Sriharikota.
- (B) Bengaluru houses ISRO headquarters and ISTRAC-related functions, but ISRO's major rocket launches occur from SDSC SHAR at Sriharikota.
- (C) Chandipur in Odisha is a missile testing range, not ISRO's space-launch site for PSLV, GSLV or LVM3 rockets.
Concept
The Science and Technology syllabus covers India's space programme and institutional geography. RAS preparation requires clear distinctions among launch sites, headquarters, tracking centres and defence ranges.