This post was last updated on 22nd April 2019
Satish Dhawan Space center in Sriharikota is one of the 2 rocket launch centers in India. This state of the art facility is maintained by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and is the main base for India’s space flight programs. The space station is open to visitors but the facility tour is limited to assembly buildings, launch pads, launch pedestals, mission control and launch control centers (MCC and LCC) and the space museum. This is worth the visit to admire and appreciate the efforts made by India in the space research. You can visit Sriharikota to watch a rocket launch live too, but the facilities at SHAR are closed for visitors at that time due to security reasons. If you would like to watch a launch, you can read my blog on How to watch a rocket launch in Sriharikota, India or How to register for Chandrayaan-2 launch.
Who can visit SHAR at Sriharikota?
- School/ Colleges: If you belong to a school/ college; you can go for a field trip with your teachers.
- Guest of an employee: If you know someone working in SHAR/ ISRO, they can take you along with visitor pass.
- Indian nationals registering for rocket launch: Indian nationals can now register on the SHAR website to witness rocket launches from a viewing gallery. Registration can be done on their website https://www.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATION/index.jsp a few days before launch.
In first 2 cases, someone from SHAR will be assigned to give you a tour of the facility. Under any circumstances, one is not allowed to visit SHAR unaccompanied. The facility is well guarded by CISF and there are more than 12 watch towers for security reasons.
Procedure to visit SHAR through school or college
School or college students who want to visit SHAR need to follow these steps:
- Request your principal to send a mail to SHAR
- Get a confirmation from SHAR and list of required documents
- Submit the required details through email or FAX
- On the date of your visit, reach 30 min before your scheduled time
- Request your principal to send a mail to ppo@shar.gov.in mentioning the school would want to go for a trip to SHAR, ISRO. If you are an individual, you can get a permission letter from the principal and attach it along with your mail. A sample of both letters is attached here: Permission letter to visit SHAR, Satish Dhawan Space Museum, Sriharikota- School Trip Permission letter to visit SHAR, Satish Dhawan Space Museum, Sriharikota- Individual Student The mail would be in the lines of:
To,
Mr.Gopikrishna,
Head, Public Outreach and Space Museum,
Satish Dhawan Space Center, SHAR
Sriharikota – 524124
Date:
Dear Sir,
Subject: Permission to visit Space Museum and facilities at SHAR
<School/ College Name> located at <Address, City> would like to visit Space Museum and the other facilities at Satish Dhawan Space Center for an educational tour. I believe that visiting a facility like SHAR would inspire them in science and the experience will stay with them through their life.
We would like to visit on <Date>. If this date is not feasible, please suggest an alternate date in the same week.
Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.
With Regards,
(<Principal Name>)
<School/ College>
- You will get a reply from SHAR detailing the date, time of reporting and other details for the visit. You will be required to submit details of every person visiting SHAR (including bus crew, teachers). Details should include name, age, father’s name, address and contact no. Visit to Space Museum SHAR, Sriharikota – Guidelines Some of the main points in this are:
- Only Indian nationals are allowed inside ISRO premises. So if the school/ college has international students, please ensure you do not take them along.
- Photography is strictly prohibited: For obvious security reasons, camera, camcorders, recorders, phones etc are not allowed inside the SHAR premises. You can deposit them at the main gate with the security and get a acknowledgment token.
- You will need to have your own vehicle. The facility is huge and one needs a vehicle to go around. You will need to keep one seat for the tour guide who will accompany you.
- SHAR being in the forest area has a threat of honeybees. Do not plan to wear bright/highly colorful dresses, deodorants /Body Sprays/perfumes etc.
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Submit the required details through email or FAX.
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On the date of your visit, reach 30 min before your scheduled time because everyone will need to get an entry permit. Also, you will have to arrange your own food/ snacks depending on the time of your visit. You can go to Sullurupeta after the visit for lunch/ dinner. The tour usually lasts for 3 hours. Though the Sullurpeta town does not have many touristy activities, you can plan your visit around Jan/ Feb when tourism department hosts a Flamingo Festival in the Pulicat lake which surrounds the facility. Viewing towers are constructed and boating is arranged for visitors to view the migratory birds who flock in thousands during this time. If you have been to Space Research Center and would like to share your experience, do post a comment and let us know 🙂
Hello Ma’am, we are travelling from Bangalore to see the launch on 14th. Is there transportation available from Sriharikota bus stand to the launch view gallery?
Hi Siddharth,
Sorry, I do not have any idea on that. Since it is not in city, you may have to reserve an auto and go. There could be shared autos running before and after the launch.
Regards,
Priyanka
Hi Siddharth,
There is public transport available from Sullurupeta to SHAR too. I have got confirmation on this.
Regards,
Priyanka
Hello madam,
Any idea on public transportation from Sullurpeta rly stn to SHAR visitors gallery ?
Hi Shankar,
Sorry, I do not have any idea on that. Since it is not in city, you may have to reserve an auto and go.
Regards,
Priyanka
Hi Siddharth,
There is public transport available from Sullurupeta to SHAR too. I have got confirmation on this.
Regards,
Priyanka
we have a group of 50 students and wishing to have an educational visit on SCSC. Kindly help me to contact the right person for making this visit possible.
Would you inform the date of next satellite launch
Hi Kanthimathivel,
No, I will not update the blog everytime there is a launch planned. You can keep yourself updated through these sites:
ISRO website: http://www.isro.gov.in/
SHAR website:https://www.shar.gov.in
ISRO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ISRO/
SpaceFlight Now: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
Hey Priyanka,
This is Swapnil am a college student of The Maharaja Sayajirao University from Vadodara.
I had a query, just wanna ask that if we wanna arrange a visit to the space center (SHAR) then is it mandatory that a faculty from the college should accompany us or only group of students will be okay
Hi Swapnil,
A faculty was required. However, I am not sure if they have started allowing visits post-covid. You will need to mail or call SHAR and find it out.
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
Hello ma’am
I’m Aayushi
We are thinking about visit ISRO as group of friends not from educational institution … Can we ?
No Aayushi. SHAR does not allow visitors unless they are educational tours.
Hi Priyanka,
This is Vivek from Bangalore, we want to visit the center as a family.
Is it allowed as per your info, and is the procedure same?
Not sure. General public was only allowed for the launch in any case. You need to get in touch with someone at IISC/SHAR who can help you get visitor’s pass to visit inside. I am not sure if they are doing that now in COVID times.
is Mr.Gopikrishna, the head of, Public Outreach and Space Museum,…????
or whom should we email in alternative..what is the email of the public outreach office??
Already send the letter to visit SHAR in one month ago .As a reminder today also I send a letter . But no reply from your side. Pls help me.
Please contact SHAR directly. I do not have any connections there.
Regards,
Priyanka
Allready send the letter to visit. But no reply from ur side. Pls help me
Madhu
anumadhureddy@gmail.com
Please contact SHAR directly. I do not have any connections there.
Regards,
Priyanka
Dear Mam,
We are from Hyderabad. we are from Spring Dale’s High School.On 28th October 2019 We sent you a mail to visit SHAR but we didn’t receive any reply from you. Please check our mail and reply as early as possible.
Thanking You
Spring Dale’s High School.
9246364021 / 9849096125
Hi,
I am not fro SHAR. Please contact them directly, I have mentioned their website in the blog where you can check their contact details. I do not have any connections there.
Regards,
Priyanka
We are from Warangal. Our school name is Maatrusri High School. Our childrens want to visit SHAR. so pls help me what is process to visit.
Thanking you
Madhu
7093625012
Hi Madhu,
Process is written in the blog post. Please read carefully.
Regards,
Priyanka
Hi Mam,
We already sent requisition letter. In that we wrongly mention the date of 20.12.2019 instead of 13.12.2019, so please help us to clear the problem.
Please contact SHAR directly. I do not have any connections there.
Regards,
Priyanka
Dear mam,
Thanks for the details. I am from Chennai. My son and daughter are studying in class 7 and class 3.
I want to take them to visit SHAR, Sriharikota during november, 2019.
Can I take them directly? What are the procedures to be followed?
Please guide me.
Regards,
Srinivasan V
Hello Mr.Srinivasan,
SHAR does not allow family visits. Your kids can visit only through educational school trips; or if you have some personal contact in ISRO who can arrange it for you.
Hope this helps,
Priyanka
There is a launch scheduled on Nov 26.
How to register to view from Gallery?
How many students are allowed inside sriharikota from a school trip
Hi Priyanka, I need a small clarity on the age or class of students who can visit and witness the launch pad. Regards Suman
Hi Suman,
I don’t think there is any age limit because my friends who visited during Chandrayaan-2 launch said very young kids were also present in the gallery.
An article earlier had mentioned that kids below 10 well but be allowed, but apparently that’s not being enforced.
Hope this helps,
Priyanka
Namaste Mam,
I am from Chennai and would like to organise this visit for my school students. Is there any entry fees that we need to pay for the students ?
Hi,
There are no charges to be paid to ISRO/SHAR for school visits. But you need to follow the procedure and get permission before visiting.
Hope this helps!
Priyanka
Respected mam :
I am charan from.
C. B. I. T institute of technology and science which was in kadapa district .we are of 55 students are really willing to visit SHAR. I have a doubt mam like we can mail an formal letter from our college as per instructions then can we expect that the permission will granted for us mam, if by any chance it was doubted then pls help us by saying an alternate way to get permission to visit mam.
Thank you mam.
Hi Charan,
That is the procedure. You will need to mail them and then wait for their reply or follow up on phone.
Regards,
Priyanka
Hello Madam,
Is it possible to visit the center with family. I do not have any known person there. Please let me know.
Sorry there is no way to visit with family, unless you register to see one of the launch from the launch gallery.
Regards,
Priyanka
for which could i forward my permission letter, details please
dear sir/madam…we are from telangana , warangal….of christhu jyothi institute of technology students ..we want to vist ISRO for our knowledge ,please provide me details of contact and mails….
Reg,
madhu k
madhu333k@gmail.com
9949407694
Madhu,
All the details are mentioned in the blog post.Pls read it carefully and follow the steps.
-Priyanka
Hello
I am from AGRA(UP). I am a teacher in Senior secondary school. School makes plan visit ISRO but we are from utter pradesh (india). if possible please provide us any tour operator contact number which help us during visit like food, hotel for students, transport in Banglore.
Hello Mr.Dinesh,
I do have any contact with tour operators. You may want to check with tour operators in Agra who can get the entire trip done for you.
Best Regards,
Priyanka
Dear Sir , we are a Leading travel agent in Indore , we can conduct this trip from any where .
U are from Agra , we can Pickup from Agra for ISRO
Dear Mr.Dinesh,
Greetings!!!
You may get in touch with us for school tours and trips.
Regards,
Ajay Dhiman,
Himanalayanone Expeditions,
Chandigarh,
9464341601.
* Himalayanone Expeditions
Hello Dinesh,
Greetings from Brainspark educational services offering wide range of services in education sector that includes school trips. we offers trips to SDSC(SHAR) and other places including food and accommodation. Please send me your requirements so that ill get back to you with all details of the visit.
Send your requirement to ‘brainsparkmail@gmail.com’ or you can contact by dialing to +91 8639159382.
Regards,
Rajesh,
Business development manager,
Brainspark educational services, Hyderabad.
Dear Priyanka ,
I am Priyankush from Bangalore and want to visit the space museum etc. as a tourist . How can I go there and visit the places which are open to public ? I have asked one of my friend in ISRO also on this . Do you know the procedure ?
Regards ,
Priyankush
Mobile – +919632366633
Hi Priyankush,
SHAR-ISRO does not entertain tourists. The only way to visit SHAR is through some contact inside SHAR; or as a part of educational tour. You can visit Sriharikota for rocket launches, but the other facilities are not open for public.
-Priyanka
I am a student of govt.polytechnic, Nellore. Me and my friends are planning for the visit to sdsc shar.Only 5 members are planning for the visit.Hence This is not a school trip,how should we proceed?Please reply! What is the procedure we have to follow
Hi Rithesh,
You still have to get the letter signed by your principal and get approval from SHAR. The procedure is same as written in the blog.
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
Respected mam/sir,
i am vivek Patil, a proud Indian & proud of what our scientist achieve in the field of space, i want to visit a SDSC, Shri harikota centre for taking information about space. it is my dream to visit this space centre, can i get my dream come true, as i don’t know any one working inside. i am waiting for your reply, please also tell me the procedure of applying for visit, if there any.
Hi Vivek,
I dont know anyone in SHAR. If you are a student, you need to go through the principal. If not, you can visit SHAR during one of the rocket launches. The Space Museum is not open to public yet during the launch, but they plan to open it in future. You can see the details in the blog post https://coveringmiles.com/visit-space-research-center-shar-sriharikota/
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
Good Evening
How to visit sriharikota in the month of 14th September 2019. Please guide us We are 2 people
THANKYOU
Hi,
There are only 2 ways for general visitor to enter SHAR. You either need to have some SHAR staff take you inside, or you can register to go when there is a rocket launch. ISRO has recently opened its doors for general public to see launches. Registration for Chandrayaan-2 mission opened today.You can check https://coveringmiles.com/register-for-chandraayan-mission-launch/ for details.
Hope it helps.
Priyanka
Hi Priyanka,
I would have the following two questions please:
1) I understand that foreign nationals (non Indians) are not allowed to enter and visit SHAR. Is it correct? By SHAR, does it mean the whole island or some areas are still accessible (such as the Space museum for example)?
2) What would be the best place to watch the launch in that case? Would it be the area of the bird sanctuary?
Thanks,
Alex
Yes Alex. Foreign nationals are not allowed inside the SHAR premises; which includes Space Museum. Best place for you to watch it would be near Environmental Education Center as mentioned in my blog post: https://coveringmiles.com/watch-rocket-launch-sriharikota-india/
Some of the scientists inside SHAR mention that the launch is better visible from this place than inside SHAR 🙂
Hope this helps!
Priyanka
Hi, we want to take our school children to SHAR, what is the maximum number they will allow. And Who is present Head, of Public Outreach and space Museum.
Hi Mr.Manohar,
Please check the SHAR website https://www.shar.gov.in/sdscshar/phonebook.jsp for details.
Thanks,
Priyanka
Hi Priyanka,
We are 6 and working in Sulekha.com in Chennai, we would like to visit our SHAR, kindly suggest us how to get permission to visit.
Thanks
Hi Kaliraj,
There are only 2 ways for general visitor to enter SHAR. You either need to have some SHAR staff take you inside, or you can register to go when there is a rocket launch. ISRO has recently opened its doors for general public to see launches. Registration opens a week before any launch.
Hope it helps.
Priyanka
Hi, I would like to visit with my family members (15 ) people. Should I follow the same instruction? Or
Regards
Jayabal
If you are viewing the launch from outside, then yes.
hello mam i am not a student ,i am interested to visit , how to apply for visit pass
You cannot visit Ganesh unless you know someone inside SHAR who can get you visitor’s pass.
Hello ma’am
Can I visit to ISRO or SHAR with my siblings and parents?
Hi Vivek,
No, unless you get permission through your principal and appoint your parents as guardian for the trip.
Regards,
Priyanka
i am from travel agency. i want to send group of 15 school students. i have sent a mail to GROUP HEAD , MSA, ISRO
How much time it will take to get conformation.
Hi Reena,
I am a blogger. You need to follow up with the concerned authorities at SHAR/ISRO on this.
Thanks,
Priyanka
I am a student, want to visit SHAR ,Shriharikota with my father if my school principal give permission.
Hi Somnath,
You will need to check with SHAR if they allow parents along with students. Pls write to them directly.
-Priyanka
SIR
I AM WORKING AS A SCIENTIST IN AMD/DAE WANT TO VISIT SHAR DURING THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST-2018
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW TO VIST SHAR
CAN U PLEASE REPLY
SIR,
I AM A SCIENTIST IN DAE WANT TO VISIT SHAR DURING THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST
madam entry of museum is only in jan&feb months or any els .
You can go in any month, but you have to get permission. Follow the steps provided in the blog.
hello mam please send your contact
Hi Surya,
You can mail me on priyanka@coveringmiles.com. However, I am not a SHAR employee. You will have to follow the steps mentioned in the blog or call the space research museum no. from the numbers mentioned on http://www.shar.gov.in/sdscshar/phonebook.jsp
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
hello sir i am a engineering student ,i interest to visit , how to apply visit pass
Hi Surya,
I am only a blogger who has mentioned how to visit SHAR. You need to follow the steps mentioned in this post to get permission.
All the best,
Priyanka
if i send them the mail today, when will they call me to visit? after how many days approximately?
Hi Kirti,
You need a send a mail with your preferred date and they will let you know if you can visit then. I hope you are sending the mail through your school/college principal.
Hope this helps!
Priyanka
I am a medical student
Am I allowed to visit sriharikota with permission of my principal
Hi Abeed,
Yes, as long as you are an Indian citizen studying in an Indian college; you can visit Sriharikota with permission letter.
Hope you have a good trip:)
Priyanka
Is it possible to have an individual visit, if it is then please tell how it works.
It is not possible visit as an individual, unless you know some staff who can take you inside.
Can I get mail ID of the ISRO to visit?
Hi Sathish,
You can visit Satish Dhawan Space Research Center in Sriharikota if you are a student. You can write to Mr.Gopikrishna on ppo@shar.gov.in and seek permission for the same. A format of the letter is posted in the blog.
Hope it helps!
Priyanka
I have sent a mail to the email id provided here but it has bounced back. Any other email id to contact ?
Hi Salwa,
I am sorry for the late reply, I was travelling. You will need to call up the space museum phone no. (08623) 226104 and get the email ID on which you can send the request mail.
Hope it helps!
Thanks,
Priyanka
Hi Salwa,
The email ID mentioned (ppo@shar.gov.in) is correct. I checked with the authorities and mails are being received on this ID. Maybe there was some temporary issue with the same.
Thanks,
Priyanka