Space Physics Laboratory (SPL)

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Space Physics Laboratory

spl SPL is a premier laboratory of VSSC/ISRO, aiming at the scientific understanding of the energetics, dynamics and chemistry of the terrestrial and planetary environments and implications to the society.

The genesis of the SPL is closely entwined with the evolution of Space Sciences and Space Research in India and dates back to more than five decades. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, with the support of Dr. Homi J Bhabha, established the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) over the magnetic dip equator in 1963 and established the Space Physics Division in 1968 to study the unique equatorial upper atmospheric phenomena. In 1984, the Space Physics Division has been elevated to Space Physics Laboratory with the mandate to carry out advanced research in Atmospheric, Space and Planetary Sciences. Several outstanding results have emerged from various ground-, rocket- and space-borne studies carried out at SPL. Today, SPL has attained the status of a vibrant research institution of international repute with front ranking research.

Research activities at SPL cover the whole gamut of atmospheric, space and planetary sciences right from the surface of Earth to the ionosphere-magnetosphere and the solar system.

SPL is organized thematically as

  • Boundary-layer Physics branch focuses on the surface characteristics, structure and dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and its coupling with free troposphere, clouds, convection and precipitation.
  • Aerosols, Trace Gases and Radiative Forcing branch aims at the scientific understanding of the physical/chemical properties of aerosols and trace gases, involving the processes that control their three-dimensional atmospheric distribution and interaction with radiation leading to climate changes.
  • Numerical Atmospheric Modelling branch explores the scientific aspects dealing with the prediction and analysis of the weather and climate system through a range of atmospheric models including the general circulation models, regional numerical weather prediction and climate models, atmospheric transport models, and large eddy simulations.
  • Atmospheric Dynamics branch focuses on the atmospheric processes responsible for altering the motion of the Earth’s atmosphere including the vertical coupling from troposphere to lower thermosphere, lateral coupling and modelling.
  • Ionosphere Thermosphere Magnetosphere branch aims at investigating the energetics and dynamics of terrestrial upper atmosphere, with focus on



  • Planetary Science branch aims at the modelling and experimental exploration of the Sun, planets, moons and comets, mainly focusing on three major themes:



  • Atmosphere Technology division focuses on the design, development and maintenance of experimental systems for atmospheric, space and planetary science areas, including the ground-based, balloon-, rocket-, and space-borne instruments from the proof-of-concept.

Advancement in all spheres of research at SPL paved the way for indigenous development of scientific instruments, establishing network of observatories for studying various processes over distinct locations, extensive campaigns, experimental observations using national facilities, balloon and rocket experiments, and modelling in all the disciplines and also capacity development in atmospheric, space and planetary sciences.

  • Indigenous developments of scientific instruments have been the high priority and SPL has a legacy of developing atmospheric radars, Lidars, Solar Radiometers, Airglow Photometers and Imagers for ground-based probing of atmosphere/ionosphere.
  • SPL operates a High Vacuum Space Simulation Facility (HVSSF) and clean room for the development, testing and calibration of space-borne instruments.
  • A suit of innovative sounding rocket payloads, Electron density and Neutral Wind (EnWi) probe, Langmuir Probe (LP), Earth's Atmospheric Composition Explore (EACE) were developed for exploring Earth’s near-space environment. SPL has also entered into the development of satellite payloads through GSAT and YOUTHSAT missions, in collaborations with other institutions.
  • Development of instruments for planetary exploration started with CHandra's Altitudinal Composition Explorer (CHACE) and Sub-keV Atom Reflecting Analyzer (SARA) onboard Chandrayaan-1 – the first Indian mission to Moon. Subsequently, payloads were developed for the first Indian Mars Orbiter Mission - Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Explorer (MENCA) - and for the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter mission - CHACE-2 & Dual Frequency Radio Sounding (DFRS) experiments. Several payloads are being developed for upcoming missions, viz., Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) and Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) for the Chandrayaan-3 Lander mission, and Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) for the Aditya-L1 mission. The payload development activities are done in collaboration with the other entities of VSSC.
  • SPL is actively involved in the microwave remote sensing of the Earth and other planetary bodies using microwave radiometer and satellite data.
  • SPL runs a national network of more than 40 observatories across the Indian mainland and islands in collaboration with universities and national institutions; from Thiruvananthapuram to Hanle, Naliya to Dibrugarh and in the islands, like Port Blair for aerosol/boundary layer/space weather monitoring. SPL’s network has spread also to the poles - the Arctic, the Antarctic, and the Himalayas (also called the “third pole”).
  • Apart from ground-based measurements, space-based observations from Megha-Tropiques (ScaRaB, SAPHIR), INSAT-3D/3DR, Kalpana-1-VHRR and OCM are also used along with the data from other satellites to study the atmospheric clouds, aerosols, meteorological variables, dynamics and radiation balance.
  • SPL also played key roles in all the major scientific programs of ISRO. SPL is actively involved in the ISRO’s Geosphere Biosphere Program (I-GBP) since its inception. The national level flagship programmes of I-GBP, such as ARFI (Aerosol Radiative Forcing over India), ICARB (Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases and Radiation Budget), RAWEX (Regional Aerosol Warming Experiment), and NOBLE (Network of Observatories for Boundary Layer Experiments) are entrusted to SPL.
  • SPL has organized the biggest multi-instrumented, multi-platform field experiment ever conducted in Asia, with network observatories, fully equipped research ship cruise over the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea and research aircrafts, all running in tandem (ICARB conducted in 2006, 2009, 2018).
  • SPL conducted satellite beacon experiments for ionosphere research since ATS-6 and continuing it as a national collaborative research program for generating the 2D maps of equatorial/low latitude ionosphere using both geostationary and low-earth orbiting satellites.
  • To address the important scientific issues that have emerged in the area of space weather in recent years, a comprehensive experimental campaign, SOUREX, involving RH-300 and RH-560 sounding rockets for the investigation of processes encompassing the Atmospheric, Thermospheric and Ionospheric regions have been conducted. SPL also led the coordinated measurements from surface to thermosphere during several Solar Eclipses.
  • ISRO’s program on the Equatorial Wave Studies (EWS) and Middle Atmospheric Dynamics Studies (MIDAS) through coordinated rocket, balloon, and ground-based radar and lidar were implemented through SPL. Through these programs, SPL has played a key role in unravelling the middle atmospheric dynamical processes and the vertical coupling of the atmosphere through a spectrum of waves.
  • SPL has developed a standard tropical atmospheric model and made periodic revisions to it for rocket launch applications from SDSC SHAR.
  • SPL has been actively associated in the operational forecasting of atmospheric weather systems for ISRO missions.
SPL’s science activities form the integral part of the science programs of ISRO in Planetary Exploration, Space Sciences, Geosphere-Biosphere Program and Atmospheric Sciences. SPL played a lead or pivotal role in all these science programs.

SPL interacts very closely with the academia and also contribute to the Science Programs of other national organizations and government departments (like MoES, DST and DAE) as well as collaborates extensively with several national and international institutes and universities. With a vibrant ISRO Research Fellowship (doctoral) and Associateship (post-doctoral) program and providing the necessary research facilities and mentorship for the National Post-doctoral Fellowship, Ramanujan Fellowship and INSPRE Faculty program of Government of India, SPL has been moulding high quality young researchers, significantly contributing to the national capacity building in frontier areas.

SPL has published more than 1000 research papers in peer reviewed international journals and produced close to 100 PhDs. Recognition, in the form of awards and accolades, has been coming-in along with the Laboratory’s evolution and growth.

With the sort of appreciation and support it has been receiving from ISRO, and ambitious programs in the years to come, SPL is all set to scale newer heights!

Website: http://spl.gov.in