Thumbaa

Thumbaa is a small village located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. It is primarily known for its significance in the history of the Indian space program.

Thumbaa gained prominence as the location of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), which was established in 1962. The location was chosen due to its proximity to the Earth's magnetic equator, making it ideal for conducting scientific research related to the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The availability of a fishing village for the site allowed the quick development of a research facility.

TERLS played a crucial role in the early stages of India's space research and development efforts. The first sounding rocket was launched from TERLS in November 1963. It has since served as a launch site for numerous sounding rockets and has contributed significantly to the advancement of scientific knowledge about the equatorial region.

The establishment of TERLS marked a turning point in India's space ambitions, laying the foundation for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The village of Thumbaa, once a quiet fishing community, became a focal point for scientific innovation and technological advancement in the country.