K. Radhakrishnan (scientist)
Encyclopedia
K. Radhakrishnan is an India
n scientist and the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO). He also served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
. He was born in Kerala
, India
. He is a Life Fellow of the Indian Geophysical Union
and is also an accomplished vocalist (Carnatic music
) and Kathakali
artist.
Radhakrishnan took charge as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 31 October 2009. He succeeds Dr. G. Madhavan Nair
who retired at the end of October, 2009.
in Thrissur district
. He received his B.Sc.(Engineering) degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970 from the Government Engineering College, Thrissur
, University of Keralahttp://isro.org/Ourchairman/Present/chairman_biodata.aspx . He started his career in the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) as an Avionics
Engineer at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
, Trivandrum
, in 1971. While at ISRO, he joined the Masters programme in Management at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. He received his MBA
degree in 1976. In 2000, he obtained his Doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He has held several key positions in ISRO and was one of the key people behind India's Chandrayaan-1 moon mission.
After the retirement of G. Madhavan Nair, Radhakrishan who was heading the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) at that time, succeeded Nair as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation
and Secretary in the Department of Space
, Government Of India.
enthusiast. He himself has given vocal stage performances.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n scientist and the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
(ISRO). He also served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation , focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme...
(VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. He was born in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He is a Life Fellow of the Indian Geophysical Union
Indian Geophysical Union
The Indian Geophysical Union is the Government of India's scientific body responsible for all activities related with Earth Science System such as such as seismology, magnetism, meteorology, geodesy, volcanology, oceanography, hydrology and tectonophysics and to encourage the study of and research...
and is also an accomplished vocalist (Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
) and Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
artist.
Radhakrishnan took charge as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 31 October 2009. He succeeds Dr. G. Madhavan Nair
G. Madhavan Nair
G. Madhavan Nair is the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary to the Department of Space, Government of India since September 2003. He is also the Chairman, Space Commission and acts as the Chairman of Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation, Bangalore...
who retired at the end of October, 2009.
Education and career
Radhakrishnan hails from IrinjalakudaIrinjalakuda
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple that has Bharata as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City...
in Thrissur district
Thrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
. He received his B.Sc.(Engineering) degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970 from the Government Engineering College, Thrissur
Government Engineering College, Thrissur
The Government Engineering College Thrissur is a technical education institute in Kerala, India. It is the second oldest engineering college established in Kerala and the first engineering college to be established after the formation of Kerala State...
, University of Keralahttp://isro.org/Ourchairman/Present/chairman_biodata.aspx . He started his career in the Indian Space Research Organisation
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
(ISRO) as an Avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
Engineer at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation , focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme...
, Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
, in 1971. While at ISRO, he joined the Masters programme in Management at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. He received his MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
degree in 1976. In 2000, he obtained his Doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He has held several key positions in ISRO and was one of the key people behind India's Chandrayaan-1 moon mission.
After the retirement of G. Madhavan Nair, Radhakrishan who was heading the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation , focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme...
(VSSC) at that time, succeeded Nair as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
and Secretary in the Department of Space
Department of Space
The Department of Space is an Indian government department responsible for administration of the Indian space program.The Indian Space Research Organization is the primary research and development arm of the DoS...
, Government Of India.
Other interests
Radhakrishnan is a Carnatic MusicCarnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
enthusiast. He himself has given vocal stage performances.
Positions held
- Director - RRSSC (Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres) under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1989–1997).
- Director - BEA-ISRO (Budget and Economic Analysis) (1987–1997).
- Director - National Mission Director - Integrated Mission for sustainable Development and a Deputy Director of the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) (1997–2000).
- Founding Director - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Department of Ocean Development, Govt. of India (2000–2005)
- Project Director - Early Warning System for Tsunami and Storm Surges (2000–2005)
- Vice Chairman - Intergovernmental Oceanographic CommissionIntergovernmental Oceanographic CommissionThe Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission was established by resolution 2.31 adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO. It first met in Paris at Unesco Headquarters from 19 to 27 October 1961. Initially, 40 States became members of the Commission.The IOC is composed of its Member States ,...
(IOC) of UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
(2001–2005) - Founding Chairman - Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) (2001–2006)
- Regional Coordinator - Indian Ocean for the International Argo Project (2001–2005)
- Director, National Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Space (2005–2008)
- Member of the Indian delegation to the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer SpaceUnited Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer SpaceThe United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was established in 1958 as an ad hoc committee...
(2006) - Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Thiruvanathapuram, India (2007–2009)
Organization Membership
- Hon Life Fellow Institution of Engineers(India)
- President of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2005–2007)
- Vice President of Indian Geophysical UnionIndian Geophysical UnionThe Indian Geophysical Union is the Government of India's scientific body responsible for all activities related with Earth Science System such as such as seismology, magnetism, meteorology, geodesy, volcanology, oceanography, hydrology and tectonophysics and to encourage the study of and research...
(2007–2009) - Member of the International Academy of AstronauticsInternational Academy of AstronauticsThe International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
- Member of the Space Commission
- Fellow of the Indian National Academy of EngineeringIndian National Academy of EngineeringThe Indian National Academy of Engineering was founded in 1987 with the aim of promoting and advancing the practice of engineering and technology in the country....
- Fellow of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing
- Fellow of the Systems Society of India
- Fellow of the Indian Geophysical UnionIndian Geophysical UnionThe Indian Geophysical Union is the Government of India's scientific body responsible for all activities related with Earth Science System such as such as seismology, magnetism, meteorology, geodesy, volcanology, oceanography, hydrology and tectonophysics and to encourage the study of and research...
- Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences
Awards
- Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award of Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences (2009)
- BHASKARA Award of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2008)
- Silver Jubilee Honour by Ministry of Earth Sciences (2006)
- VASVIK Industrial Research Award in the field of Electrical and Electronics Sciences and Technology (2005)
- K. R. RamanathanK. R. RamanathanKalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan was an Indian physicist and meteorologist. He was the first Director of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. Ramanathan was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan in 1976....
Memorial Gold Medal of Indian Geophysical union (2003) - Honarary Life Fellow The Institution of Engineers(India) (2010)
- Hon Life Fellow Instution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers , New Delhi (2010)