TERLS

The Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, known as TERLS, is a rocket launch site located near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It was established by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1962. TERLS was initially conceived as a site for sounding rocket launches due to its equatorial location, which offers advantages for launching certain types of satellites into orbit.

The facility's proximity to the magnetic equator is a key reason for its selection. This location allows for efficient launch trajectories for specific scientific missions, particularly those involving ionospheric research and atmospheric studies. Over the years, TERLS has played a crucial role in India's early space exploration efforts, supporting the development and testing of various sounding rockets.

While TERLS continues to be an important site for sounding rocket launches and research, ISRO has also developed and utilizes other launch facilities, such as the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, for its larger satellite launch vehicle missions. The historical significance of TERLS lies in its foundational contribution to India's indigenous rocketry capabilities and its role in advancing scientific understanding of Earth's upper atmosphere.