Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, is the main ISRO center responsible for the design and development of launch vehicle technology. The Center pursues research and active development in the fields of aeronautics, avionics, materials, mechanisms, vehicle integration, chemicals, propulsion, space artifacts, structures, space physics and systems reliability. The Center commits crucial responsibilities for design, manufacture, analysis, development and testing related to the realization of the subsystems for the different missions. These are sustained by the activities towards the program. Planning and evaluation, technology transfer, industry coordination, human resource development and security. It also carries out the planning, execution and maintenance of all civil works related to the Center. The Center depends on the administrative and auxiliary support services.
VSSC has extension centers in the Valiamala main housing facilities of the integration mechanisms in the vehicle, and testing and in Vattiyoorkavu for the development of composite materials. The Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant (APEP) has been established by VSSC in Aluva near Kochi.
The main programs in VSSC include Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Rohini sounding rockets, as well as the development of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mc Ill, reusable launch vehicles, technology vehicles Advanced, air Breathing propulsion and critical technologies towards human spaceflight.