Nellore: Besides addressing the long-standing demand from people to allow them to witness the launching of satellites from its space port in Shar, Sriharikota by constructing a gallery, the Indian Space Research Organisation is adding a space theme park at the same place.
This will enable citizens to understand the activities of Isro apart from witnessing the launches taking place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, 90 km from Nellore.
In the first phase, a 5,000-capacity viewing gallery is to be constructed at an appropriate location with clear line of sight to the two launch pads of the Sriharikota range. Large screens will also be placed to explain the various details of the rocket, the satellites it is carrrying and the launch. In addition, pre and post launch activities will be telecast and explained through these screens to viewers.
The visitors can see the rockets at the theme park: Isro will display lifesize rockets beginning from the sounding rocket to the SLV, ASLV, PSLV, and the GSLV Mk-III.
Lawns are being developed along with photo points and a fountain in the middle of the rocket garden. A 3D theatre is also being built to screen important launches of Isro including the Mars and moon missions apart from similar launches in other parts of the globe.
The theatre will screen the achievements of satellites and space research activities to enable the common man to understand the intricacies of the vast subject.
“Space has revolutionised the lives of human beings by bringing a variety of applications to the doorstep of the common man. It has kindled a natural curiosity and ever increasing interest in every individual towards the Indian space program,” a senior official of Isro said, pointing to the reasons for establishing the theme park. He said that the space museum, now located inside the Shar unit, is being shifted to the theme park area.
