ISRO Rocket Launch – India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), has been making headlines with its remarkable achievements in space exploration. First with Chandrayaan-3 & now hoping for the same with Aditya-L1.
Undoubtedly, watching an ISRO rocket launch live is always fascinating, isn’t it? Seeing the rocket roar & fire up in the sky in a fraction of a section is truly an experience to be sought for. Especially after the pandemic, ISRO has made dedicated launch viewing galleries to witness their launch missions.
Whenever a mission is scheduled, ISRO, through their social media handles, invites each and everyone to witness the launch of their magnificent rockets at the ISRO Launch View Gallery at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Thus, if you are also planning to watch the ISRO Rocket Launch at Sriharikota, then this blog is a complete guide for you.
Here are nine things you need to know before planning your trip to watch the ISRO Rocket Launch at Sriharikota.
- 1. Book Your Slots Online – Sriharikota Rocket Launch Registration
- What Is The Best Way To Reach Sriharikota?
- Reach the ISRO Viewing Gallery At Least 1-2 Hours Prior To The Scheduled Launch Time
- Carry Cap, Sunglasses, Water Bottles, Umbrella, Food, Binoculars, A Portable Fan
- You Can Make A 1-2 Day Plan To Watch ISRO Rocket Launch
- There Is No Mobile Network Coverage At The ISRO Launch View Gallery
- Food Stalls, Washrooms, Water Dispensers Are Available At The ISRO Launch View Gallery
- When Is The Next ISRO Rocket Launch From Sriharikota?
1. Book Your Slots Online – Sriharikota Rocket Launch Registration
First and foremost, if you are planning to watch the next scheduled ISRO launch rocket, then it is highly recommended to do its registration online. You should book your slots online from their official website to witness the physical launch in person.
Sriharikota ISRO Rocket Launch Registration Online (Official Website) – https://lvg.shar.gov.in/ – The website might not load a few times; however, it is the only official website to register.
Once a mission is scheduled, ISRO will announce its launch date and timings through their social media handles approximately 4-5 days before the scheduled launch. Make sure to keep an eye on their social media channels to register online for the physical launch event.
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After ISRO announces the launch details on their social media channels, their official website will display the registration opening time. ISRO Rocket Launch Registration is entirely free of charge. To secure your slot, be sure to visit their website 1-2 minutes before registration opens, as slots tend to fill up within 2-3 minutes. The slots get filled almost instantly as soon as they become available. Thus, you need to be quick while filling in the details during registration.
While on-spot registrations are also available, their availability is highly dependent upon the crowd. For instance, during the Aditya-L1 launch, the on-spot registration desk opened just 3-4 hours before the launch and quickly became overcrowded. It’s important to note that individual visitors were not granted on-spot registration passes to witness the launch from the viewing gallery; instead, they were encouraged to form groups of 4 or more to obtain passes. However, it’s crucial to understand that relying on on-spot registration passes is not recommended, as it is entirely dependent on the crowd size and availability.
Below is the sample photo of the entry pass issued by ISRO for the Launch Registration –
2. What Is The Best Way To Reach Sriharikota?
The best way to reach Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) is by road from Chennai. Chennai is almost 110-120 Kms away from Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre). Following are some of the best ways to reach Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) to watch the ISRO Rocket Launch –
- By Flight – The closest airport to Sriharikota is Chennai Airport, located approximately 131 km away. From the airport, you can either rent a self-drive car or a taxi to Sriharikota.
- By Train – The nearest railway station to Sriharikota is Sullurupeta, which is well-connected to major cities like Chennai and Vijayawada. Once you reach Sullurupeta, you can hire a taxi to reach Sriharikota. Public transport buses are also available from Sriharikota to Sullurupeta and back.
- By Road – The best way to reach Sriharikota is by road from Chennai. You can either rent a self-drive car or hire a return taxi from Ola / Uber. The journey from Chennai to Sriharikota offers a pleasant and well-maintained road, with an estimated travel time of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours to reach Sriharikota. The roads are smooth and well-maintained.
If you are planning to reach ISRO Rocket Launch place Sriharikota from Chennai in a rental or a self-drive car, then please keep a note of paying the inter-state taxes for Andhra Pradesh. Keep an eye out for the RTO Post Check near the border between Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh on the highway itself.
3. Reach the ISRO Viewing Gallery At Least 1-2 Hours Prior To The Scheduled Launch Time
Indeed, timing is very crucial when it comes to watching a rocket launch. Ensure that you arrive at the ISRO Launch View Gallery in Sriharikota at least 1-2 hours before the scheduled launch time. Typically, people start arriving 3-4 hours before the launch itself. The parking lot is spacious and completely free of charge; however, it reaches its full capacity quickly, so it’s advisable to arrive as early as possible.
You can make the most of these 1-2 hours by exploring the Space Museum located beneath the Launch Gallery itself. The Space Museum has all the details & valuable information of IRSO’s previous missions. Here, you’ll also find multiple stalls where you can purchase ISRO-branded merchandise such as t-shirts, caps, keychains, flags, and more.
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4. Carry Cap, Sunglasses, Water Bottles, Umbrella, Food, Binoculars, A Portable Fan
Now, since the ISRO’s Launch View Gallery is a recently constructed facility, it does not have air conditioning in most areas, apart from the entry & the space museum. Therefore, if the launch is scheduled during the daytime, it can become quite hot and uncomfortable due to the heat.
I would really recommend that you bring your own cap, sunglasses, a few water bottles, an umbrella, enough snacks and food to keep you satisfied, and a portable handheld fan to provide relief from the scorching heat. Additionally, consider getting binoculars to enhance your view of the rocket once it’s launched for better clarity.
5. What Is The Best Way To Watch ISRO Rocket Launch In Person?
The best way to watch the ISRO Rocket Launch in person is from the highest step of the launch view gallery. Once you’ve secured your spot in the viewing gallery, select a location that provides an uninterrupted view of the launchpad.
Do find a nice place for yourself because the gallery tends to reach full capacity approximately 10-15 minutes before the launch. The experience of witnessing a rocket launch live is nothing short of awe-inspiring, so make sure your camera or smartphone is ready to capture the moment.
6. You Can Make A 1-2 Day Plan To Watch ISRO Rocket Launch
Depending on your plan, you may plan for a 1-2 day trip with an overnight stay in either Chennai or Tirupati, either the day before the launch or on the launch day itself. This will allow you to have a comfortable and leisurely journey. In case you have limited time at your disposal, you can also consider planning a day trip, but this option is completely dependent upon the scheduled launch time.
7. There Is No Mobile Network Coverage At The ISRO Launch View Gallery
Keep in mind that there is almost no mobile network at the ISRO viewing gallery at Sriharikota. Even calling or data facility will not work at the launch view gallery building. You can expect mobile network coverage when you reach the nearest town, Sullurupeta. Thus, inform your family and friends in advance and make necessary arrangements for communication.
8. Food Stalls, Washrooms, Water Dispensers Are Available At The ISRO Launch View Gallery
Additionally, essential amenities like food and water stalls, washrooms, and water dispensers are available at the ISRO Launch Viewing Gallery. The food stalls offer a variety of snacks and food items, including cut fruits, cold drinks, chips, Maggie noodles, etc.
It’s important to note that due to the lack of mobile network coverage, online payment methods such as card transactions and UPI payments will not work. Only cash payments will be accepted, thus carry enough change for the same.
9. When Is The Next ISRO Rocket Launch From Sriharikota?
Stay updated with ISRO’s launch schedule from their official website & social media handles to plan your visit accordingly. Rocket launches are planned well in advance, so you’ll have plenty of time to make arrangements for your trip.
As of now, the following are some of the upcoming missions of ISRO –
- X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)
- NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) Satellite
- SPADEX or Space Docking Experiment
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