Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai
(1919 – 1971)
Tenure: 1963-1971
Padma Vibhushan
The Father of the Indian Space Programme, Dr Vikram A Sarabhai was a great institution builder. After the launch of the world’s first artificial satellite in 1957, the Russian Sputnik, he convinced the government of the importance of a space programme for India, emphasising its relevance in addressing real societal issues. On his suggestion, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established in 1962 (which would transform into ISRO in August 1969). Dr Sarabhai’s vision was supported by Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, leading to the establishment of India’s first rocket launching station at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram. The first rocket launched from Thumba on 21 November 1963 marked the beginning of India’s space odyssey.
Prof M G K Menon
(1928 – 2016)
Tenure: Jan-Sept 1972
Padma Vibhushan
Prof MGK Menon was an advisor to the Department of Space and ISRO. He served as the chairman of ISRO after the untimely death of Dr Sarabhai on 30 December 1971. He served as the president of the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta (1990-2016). Menon earned his PhD from UK in 1953 and received numerous honorary doctorates. A fellow of all three major science academies in India, he also served as president of each. Prof Menon was renowned for his work in cosmic rays and particle physics, particularly his investigations into high-energy interactions of elementary particles. His contributions distinguished him as a leading figure in his field.
Prof Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1932-2017)
Tenure: 1984-1994
Padma Vibhushan
Prof UR Rao was an internationally renowned space scientist who made original contributions to developing space technology in India and its extensive application to communications and remote sensing of natural resources. Convinced of the imperative need to use space technology for rapid development, Prof Rao undertook the responsibility for the establishment of satellite technology in India in 1972. Under his guidance, beginning with the first Indian satellite Aryabhata in 1975, over 18 satellites were designed and launched to provide communication, remote sensing and meteorological services. He accelerated the development of rocket technology, resulting in the successful launch of the ASLV rocket and the operational PSLV launch vehicle, which can launch a 2.0-ton class of satellites into polar orbit. Prof Rao initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991.
Prof Satish Dhawan
(1920 – 2002)
Tenure: 1972-1984
Padma Vibhushan
Prof Satish Dhawan, an Indian rocket scientist born in Srinagar, is renowned as the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India. Educated in India and the United States, he became the chairman of ISRO in 1972 and also served as chairman of the Space Commission and secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space. Under his leadership, the Indian space programme saw remarkable growth and achievements. A distinguished researcher in turbulence and boundary layers, Prof Dhawan made significant contributions to the field, which are highlighted in Hermann Schlichting’s seminal book Boundary Layer Theory. He led pioneering experiments in rural education, remote sensing, and satellite communications, resulting in operational systems like INSAT, IRS, and the PSLV.
Following his death in 2002, the satellite launch centre at Sriharikota was renamed the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR).
Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan (b. 1940)
Tenure: 1994-2003
Padma Vibhushan
Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan led the Indian space programme as chairman of ISRO, Space Commission, and secretary of the Department of Space for over nine years until 27 August 2003. Previously, as director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, he oversaw the development of INSAT-2 and IRS-1A & 1B satellites and scientific satellites. He also directed India’s first experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I & II, and the first operational IRS-1A satellite. Under his leadership, ISRO achieved significant milestones, including the successful launches of the PSLV and GSLV, and the development of IRS-1C, IRS-1D, and INSAT satellites, establishing India as a leading space-faring nation. As an astrophysicist, his research includes high-energy X-ray, gamma-ray astronomy, and optical astronomy, with notable contributions to the study of cosmic X-ray sources and gamma-ray astronomy.
Dr G Madhavan Nair (b. 1943)
Tenure: 2003-2009
Padma Vibhushan
Dr G Madhavan Nair, born in Thiruvananthapuram, joined Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1967 and progressed to become the chairman of ISRO. During his six-year tenure as chairman, ISRO, and secretary, DoS, 25 successful missions were accomplished, including INSAT-3E, RESOURCESAT-1, EDUSAT, and CHANDRAYAAN-1.
Dr Nair pioneered the development of futuristic technologies to enhance space systems and reduce the cost of space access. He emphasized application programmes such as tele-education and telemedicine, connecting over 31,000 classrooms under the EDUSAT network and extending telemedicine to 315 hospitals. He initiated Village Resource Centres (VRCs) through satellite connectivity, improving the quality of life in over 430 villages by providing spatial information, enabling online interaction between farmers and agricultural scientists, and disseminating information on governmental schemes. As director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (1995-1999), he advanced India’s cryogenic technology. As director of VSSC (1999-2003), he led the development of GSLV.
Dr Koppillil Radhakrishnan (b. 1949)
Tenure: 2009-2015
Padma Bhushan
Dr Koppillil Radhakrishnan is a distinguished technocrat, strategic institution-builder, and inspiring leader known for his dynamic management and ability to nurture leadership. Dr Radhakrishnan began his career as an avionics engineer at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and held significant positions within ISRO, including director of VSSC and National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA). He also founded the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and was the first project director of the Indian National Tsunami Warning System. Internationally, he has served as vice chairman of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and chairman of the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System.
A S Kiran Kumar (b. 1952)
Tenure: 2015-2018
Padma Shri
Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar, a distinguished scientist and director of the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, assumed the role of secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of ISRO on 14 January 2015. With over four decades at ISRO, he has significantly contributed to the development of Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors for various satellite missions, including the Mars Orbiter Mission. Joining ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in 1975, he later became its director in 2012. He has led the design and development of payloads for earth observation, communication, navigation, space science, and planetary exploration. In 2019, Kiran Kumar was honoured with France’s highest civilian award — Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Legion d’Honneur — for his contribution to India-France space cooperation.
Dr K Sivan (b. 1957)
Tenure: 2018-2022
Dr K Sivan served joined ISRO in 1982, specializing in aerospace engineering, space transportation systems, and launch vehicle design. Dr Sivan significantly contributed to mission planning, design, integration, and analysis, particularly in PSLV missions. His innovative strategies in mission design enhanced the performance of PSLV and laid a foundation for other launch vehicles like GSLV MkII, MkIII, and RLV-TD. He developed the 6D trajectory simulation software, SITARA, essential for simulations of ISRO’s launch vehicles. Dr Sivan also established a world-class simulation facility for mission synthesis and analysis. His ‘day-of-launch wind biasing strategy’ allowed rocket launches under varied conditions. He led the successful launch of 104 satellites in a single PSLV mission.
Dr Sreedhara Panicker Somanath (b. 1963)
Tenure: 2022 – Present
Dr Sreedhara Panicker Somanath is an Indian aerospace engineer and the chairman of ISRO. Under his leadership, ISRO successfully executed the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India’s third lunar exploration mission. The mission’s lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyan, achieved a historic landing near the lunar south pole, making India the first country to land a spacecraft in this region and the fourth to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. Before becoming ISRO chairman, Dr Somanath served as the director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. He is renowned for his expertise in launch vehicle design, particularly in systems engineering, structural design, structural dynamics, and pyrotechnics. His contributions have significantly advanced India’s capabilities in space exploration, earning the nation international recognition and pride.
*Compiled with information available on ISRO website.
