Sriharikota Island

Sriharikota Island is a barrier island on the east coast of Andhra Pradesh separating Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal. It houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, India's primary orbital launch centre operated by ISRO. Selected in 1969 for its equatorial proximity and uninhabited coastline, the island is notable for PSLV, GSLV and other launch missions, a Launch View Gallery and Space Museum accessible only with prior permission.

Visitors can expect a highly restricted, high-security island dominated by ISRO's launch infrastructure rather than a conventional tourist beach. Authorized visitors can see the Launch View Gallery with clear view of two launch pads, the Space Museum with rocket models and mission exhibits, and the coastal landscape between Pulicat Lake and the Bay of Bengal. General island access, beaches and technical areas are not open to walk-in tourists and require advance registration and ID verification.

Selected in 1969 as India's satellite launching station for its east-coast location, proximity to the equator and uninhabited terrain; originally called Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR); first flight test on 9 October 1971 with RH-125 sounding rocket; subsequently developed as the launch base for SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 missions; renamed Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in 2002 after former ISRO Chairman Satish Dhawan.