How a small coastal village became the heart of India's journey into deep space
In short: In 1962, a quiet site in Thumba was chosen for rocket launches because of its unique position on the geomagnetic equator. Today, that location is the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a massive research hub driving India's satellite programs, from indigenous sounding rockets to advanced lunar and re-entry missions.
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) originated as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962. Its location was strategically selected for its proximity to the geomagnetic equator, an ideal site for meteorological and upper atmospheric research. Following the death of Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, in December 1971, the facility was renamed in his honor. It has since evolved into a sprawling establishment with a workforce of approximately 4,500 employees, dedicated to the design and development of launch vehicle technology.
The centre manages a complex matrix organization, balancing core project teams with system development agencies. Its portfolio includes the development of the Rohini sounding rocket series, which has seen nearly 2,200 launches, alongside major launch vehicles like the PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3. Beyond hardware, VSSC pushes the boundaries of computational engineering, recently releasing FEAST, a finite element analysis program designed to reduce reliance on expensive foreign software. The centre also maintains a focus on space physics through its Space Physics Laboratory, which investigates everything from atmospheric aerosols to ionospheric dynamics.
Innovation at VSSC extends to critical onboard technology. In March 2025, the centre introduced the 32-bit VIKRAM3201 and KALPANA3201 microprocessors, designed to replace the older 16-bit systems that have powered ISRO vehicles since 2009. These new processors, featuring custom instruction sets and high-reliability interfaces, are built to handle complex mission control and navigation tasks. With recent infrastructure additions like a new trisonic wind tunnel inaugurated in 2024, VSSC continues to refine its aerodynamic testing capabilities, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global space exploration and aerospace engineering.
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