ISRO's stunning new viewing gallery for citizens to watch space launches all set to open, image and details here

Raising the euphoria of the citizens, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday morning announced on its Twitter page that it is opening a visitors gallery at Satish Dhawan Space Station( SDSC) in Sriharikota. The gallery would accommodate 5000 people and is on a clear line of sight to the launch pads. It has also set up large screens that would explain the features and science of the launcher to the onlookers. The viewing gallery will be inaugurated by the Chairman of the organisation, K Sivan, and will open to public on March 31.

Visitors at ISRO will be required to register on a website before their visit to the gallery. In their guidelines, ISRO has specified that the minimum age of entry is 10 years and cameras, video cameras and cellular phones will not be allowed.

This viewing gallery is a part of the Space Theme Park that ISRO is setting up at SDSC. It has three parts, the website details an outline of each part:

1. Rocket Garden - All the 1:1 ratio of beautiful ISRO launch vehicles - Sounding Rocket, SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, Mk-III will be realised with a provision to go inside. Lawns will be developed along with photo points. Fountain will be realised at the middle of the rocket garden.
2. Launch View Gallery - The Space Port of India, naturally attracts the visitors to witness the launch activities and cheer for the pride of our Nation. At present, there are no appropriate facilities for accommodating more number of visitors to view the launch at Sriharikota. This would allow thousands of viewers to witness the launch.
3. Space Museum - Space Museum provides a tell-tale account of the Indian Space Programme from its infancy. The story of the Indian Space Programme is unfurled in six sections, comprising of history, education, technology, applications, global and the future.

ISRO in 2018 has done remarkable work like placing the CARTOSAT-2 satellite in the orbit and testing of Chandrayaan-2 Mission cryogenic engine. It is also creating a buzz about its upcoming launch of PSLV-C45. The PSLV-C45 will be the 47th mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle program. India will launch the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C45 on April 1, 2019.