On 26th April 2025, Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Padma awardee, passed away at the age of 84 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was born on 24 October 1940 in Ernakulam, Kerala.
About Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan:
i.Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan started his professional journey in space science as a researcher at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 1969.
ii.In 1971, he joined the ISRO, marking the beginning of a distinguished career that spanned over three decades.
- As the Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, he led the development of the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A and 1B).
- As the Project Director, he oversaw India’s first experimental Earth observation satellites, Bhaskara-I and II
iii.He led ISRO as its Chairman from 1994 to 2003, a period marked by self-reliance in space technology despite international sanctions post-India’s 1998 nuclear tests.
- He directed the successful development and launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). He also initiated India’s planetary exploration efforts, leading to the Chandrayaan-1 mission
iv.As Chairperson of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Drafting Committee, Dr. Kasturirangan revolutionised India’s education framework. He also served as:
- Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
- Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
- Member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–2009) and the Planning Commission of India.
- Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru (2004–2009).
v.He has authored and edited several influential works, including his memoir “Space and Beyond: Professional Voyage of K. Kasturirangan”.
- Additionally, he chaired the High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats, which produced the Kasturirangan Committee Report. This report, submitted in 2013, provides a comprehensive assessment and conservation plan for the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region of India.
- He authored more than 200 research papers in the fields of astronomy, space science, and applications, contributing significantly to scientific literature.
Awards and Honours:
i.Dr. K. Kasturirangan was honoured with India’s top civilian awards for his contribution in the field of Science and Engineering:
- Padma Shri (1982), India’s fourth-highest civilian award
- Padma Bhushan (1992), India’s third-highest civilian award
- Padma Vibhushan (2000), India’s second-highest civilian award
ii.In 2003, he was honoured with the Aryabhata Award from the International Academy of Astronautics.
iii.In 2009, the Indian Science Congress honoured him with the Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Gold Medal.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman– Dr. V. Narayanan
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established– 1969
