Lightning protection system to the Indian satellite launch pad

Any satellite launch mission forms a complex and expensive process. Intensive care and precautions are to be taken for a safe and successful launch. Also, the satellite launch system forms a tall structure standing on a plane terrain. As a result, a lightning strike rate to it becomes more probable. Therefore, extensive care needs to be taken in shielding the launch system against natural lightning. Lightning protection systems built with differing principles have been in use at different launch centers throughout the world. This paper describes the lightning protection system that has been installed at the SHAR Indian satellite launch center.