Sriharikota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sriharikota
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town
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 Sriharikota
Location in Andhra Pradesh
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| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Nellore District |
| Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| PIN |
524124
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| Vehicle registration | AP |
Sriharikota is an island located off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India. It is a special place because it is home to India's main satellite launch center. This center is called the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, also known as SHAR.
The Indian Space Research Organisation uses this center to send satellites into space. They use powerful multi-stage rockets like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. Sriharikota is a barrier island, which means it helps protect the mainland from the sea. It separates the Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal.
The island is part of the Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. The town of Pulicat is also on this island. The closest town with a railway station is Sullurpeta. For business, the nearest big city is Sri City. Sriharikota is also connected by expressways to Chennai, a major city.
What is a Satellite Launch Center?
A satellite launch center is a special facility where rockets are launched into space. These rockets carry satellites, which are machines that orbit Earth. Satellites are used for many things, like weather forecasting, communication (for phones and TV), and even exploring space.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre is India's only place for launching satellites. It has all the equipment needed to prepare rockets and send them safely into orbit. This includes launch pads, control centers, and tracking stations.
India's Space Program
India has a very active space program, managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. ISRO is one of the world's leading space agencies. They design, build, and launch satellites and rockets.
From Sriharikota, ISRO launches different types of rockets. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is known for being very reliable. It often launches satellites into orbits that pass over the Earth's poles. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is used for heavier satellites. These satellites go into a special orbit where they stay above the same spot on Earth.
Why is Sriharikota a Good Location for Launches?
Sriharikota is an ideal spot for launching rockets for several reasons:
- Location near the Equator: Being close to the Earth's equator helps rockets get an extra push from the Earth's rotation. This saves fuel and makes launches more efficient.
- Safety over Water: Rockets are launched eastward over the Bay of Bengal. If there's a problem during launch, any debris would fall into the ocean, away from populated areas. This makes it much safer.
- Isolation: As an island, Sriharikota is relatively isolated. This provides a large, secure area for the launch facilities and reduces risks to people living nearby.
