Former ISRO chairman Dr. K Kasturirangan handed away in Bengaluru on April 25. He was 84 years previous.
According to an announcement from ISRO: “Dr. K. Kasturirangan has left for heavenly abode this morning at 10. 43 am at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru for paying last respects on Sunday April 27th from 1000- 1200 hrs.”
Dr. Kasturirangan served because the fifth chairman of ISRO between 1994-2003, and in addition because the Secretary, Department of Space for over 9 years.
During his four-decade-long profession in ISRO, he was a part of a number of key missions. He was the venture director of India’s first two experimental earth statement satellites BHASKARA-I & II. He steered the primary operational Indian Remote Sensing satellite tv for pc IRS-1A.
A recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Kasturirangan received his Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science levels in Physics from Bombay University. He obtained his Doctorate Degree in Experimental High Energy Astronomy in 1971 whereas working on the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
When he served as ISRO chairman, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was launched and operationalised. The first profitable flight testing of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) passed off unders hip his management.
ISRO states that because the Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, he oversaw the actions associated to the event of latest technology spacecraft, Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A & 1B), in addition to scientific satellites.
“He has also overseen the design, development and launching of the world’s best civilian satellites, IRS-1C and 1D, realisation of the second generation and initiation of third generation INSAT satellites, besides launching ocean observation satellites IRS-P3/P4. These efforts have placed India as a pre-eminent space-faring nation among the handful of six countries that have major space programmes,” states his profile on the area company’s web site.
Dr. Kasturirangan served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and was a member of the Planning Commission in the course of the UPA authorities.
More just lately, Dr. Kasturirangan chaired the drafting committee for the National Education Policy 2020, and headed the 12-member steering committee liable for creating a brand new National Curriculum Framework.
He was the writer of the Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats, which in 2013, recognized an space of 59,940 sq. km of pure panorama of Western Ghats, unfold throughout Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra as ecologically delicate.
PM Modi mourns his loss of life
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence message, known as Dr. Kasturirangan “a towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey“. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered, Mr. Modi said.
“He served ISRO with great diligence, steering India’s space programme to new heights, for which we also received global recognition. His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focussed on innovation,” Mr. Modi added.
Published – April 25, 2025 01:56 pm IST
