The only Indian island where ISRO has set up a space centre is Sriharikota. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), formerly known as Sriharikota Range (SHAR), is located on this spindle-shaped barrier island off the east coast of Andhra Pradesh. Sriharikota was chosen in 1969 for establishing the satellite launching station due to its proximity to the equator, suitable weather conditions, large uninhabited area for safety, and its location near the Bay of Bengal which allows safe disposal of rocket debris into the sea. This spaceport is the primary launch site for ISRO's rockets, including those for lunar and Mars missions