VSSC Space Museum

VSSC Space Museum, operated by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thumba, occupies the former St Mary Magdalene church where India’s first rocket systems were assembled and integrated. The museum traces the Indian space programme from its beginnings through launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion, structures, guidance and future missions, with a full-scale PSLV model, heat shield, ASLV fourth-stage motor, scaled PSLV, GSLV, GSLV Mk III and ATV models, sounding-rocket displays, and the recovered Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) module. Its Rocket Garden and interpretive galleries make the historic VSSC campus a significant public space-education destination. Visits are free from 09:30 to 16:00 except Sundays and declared public holidays; Indian nationals apply online, while foreign nationals require a VSSC special permit applied for at least two weeks in advance. Visitors must report to the CISF Canal Gate 30 minutes before the allotted time; photography and mobile or other electronic devices are prohibited, and launch-day vehicle and route rules differ. Check VSSC’s live visitor guidance and calendar before travel. Visitor address: VSSC Space Museum, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.