Dr. K Kasturirangan

Former ISRO chairman Dr. K Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru on April 25. He was 84 years old.

Career Highlights:

• Served as the 5th Chairman of ISRO (1994–2003) and as Secretary, Department of Space for over nine years.
• Project Director for India’s first experimental earth observation satellites BHASKARA-I & II.
• Led the launch of India’s first operational remote sensing satellite IRS-1A.
• Oversaw the operationalization of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• Led the first successful flight testing of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

Awards & Honors:

• Recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan — among India’s highest civilian honors.

Public Service:

• Served as a Rajya Sabha Member.
• Was part of the Planning Commission during the UPA government.