1,250 visitors watch PSLV-C45 launch from newly opened gallery

SRIHARIKOTA: While the PSLV-C45/Emisat mission was unique in many ways , there was also another first for the Indian Space Research Organisation at Sriharikota on Monday. Around 1,250 visitors were allowed to view the launch from the newly inaugurated viewers gallery built around 3km from the first and second launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre or Sriharikota Range (SHAR).
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The 5,000-capacity gallery, around which a space theme park along with a museum and rocket gallery would come up, was inaugurated on Sunday.

"We will allow 5,000 people from the next launch and eventually we are planning to accommodate 10,000 people," said Isro chairman K Sivan after declaring the mission a success.

The gallery, about 3km away from the Shar entrance, was built keeping in mind the growing interest of people in space science and technology. The gallery is planned to give viewers a clear and unobstructed view of the launch.

But there are people for whom the gallery meant nothing. People in nearby Sabari Colony have been watching the launches from a close range for many years. "This gallery is not going to give us a view that is different. We are so used to watching the launches every time that it all looks the same to us," said Achchamma, a fruit vendor.

There are around 500 residents in the colony. Those who watched the PSLV-C45 launch from the gallery were people from other places.