Latest news with #INSAT-2
Mint
25-04-2025
- Science
- Mint
Former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan passes away: 10 things to know about the space scientist
Former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan passed away on Friday in Bengaluru, officials said. 'He left for heavenly abode this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on April 27,' as per a PTI report quoting officials. Kasturirangan, who was 84 at the time of his death, is survived by his wife and two sons, according to the report quoting family sources. The sources also said that the former ISRO chief was suffering from ailments related to age for the past few months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Kasturirangan. 1. Kasturirangan served as the chairperson of the drafting committee on New National Edutation Policy (NEP) as well as as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. 2. Kasturirangan served at ISRO for nine years till 2003. 3. He was earlier the Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, where he oversaw the activities related to the development of new generation spacecraft, Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A & 1B) as well as scientific satellites. 4. Under his leadership, ISRO successfully launched many satellites including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and more recently, the first successful flight testing of the all important Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). 5. He had also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–09) and as member of then Planning Commission of India. Kasturirangan was also the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru from April 2004 to 2009. 6. The former ISRO chief was born on October 24, 1940 at Ernakulam in Kerala to C M Krishnaswamy Iyer and Visalakshi. 7. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, his family had settled at Chalakudy in Thrissur district. His mother was hailing from Palakkad Iyer family. 8. Kasturirangan earned his Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Bombay University. He received his Doctorate Degree in Experimental High Energy Astronomy in 1971 working at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. 9. As an astrophysicist, his interests included research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. He also made significant contributions to studies of Cosmic x-ray sources, celestial gamma-ray and effect of cosmic x-rays in the lower atmosphere. 10. For his exemplary work Kasturirangan was awarded Padma Vibhushan in the year 2000. The space scientist has also won several other awards throught his life for his contributions. First Published: 25 Apr 2025, 03:50 PM IST
India Today
25-04-2025
- Science
- India Today
Former Isro chairman K Kasturirangan dies in Bengaluru at 84
Former Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairman K Kasturirangan passed away in his Bengaluru residence on to a statement by Isro, Kasturirangan died at 10.43 am. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 27 between 10 am and noon, for the public to pay led the Isro, the Space Commission, and the Department of Space for over nine years. He stepped down from office on August 27, Known as the man behind the education reforms listed in NEP, Kasturirangan served as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. He also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 and as a member of the then Planning Commission of also served as Director of the Isro Satellite Centre, where he was involved in developing INSAT-2, IRS-1A/1B, and scientific was the Project Director for India's first earth observation satellites, Bhaskara I and II, and oversaw major milestones like the PSLV and GSLV launches. He has been conferred Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his astrophysicist by training, his research interests included high-energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy. He made significant contributions to studies on cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma rays, and their effects on Earth's IN THIS STORY#ISRO
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Former ISRO Chairman K. Kasturirangan Passes Away at 84
K. Kasturirangan, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Bengaluru. He was 84 years old. According to an official statement from ISRO, he died at 10:43 AM. His body will be kept for public homage at the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, on Sunday, April 27, between 10 AM and 12 noon. A Legacy in Space and Education Kasturirangan served as the head of: ISRO The Space Commission The Department of Space He led these institutions for over nine years before stepping down on August 27, 2003. Contributions to Space Science He was the Project Director of India's first Earth observation satellites: Bhaskara I and II. As Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, he led the development of satellites like INSAT-2, IRS-1A/1B, and others. He played a key role in the PSLV and GSLV launch programs. A Visionary in Education and Policy Apart from space research, Kasturirangan also contributed to education reform He was the architect of India's National Education Policy (NEP) He served as Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University He chaired the Karnataka Knowledge Commission He was also a Rajya Sabha member (2003–2009) and served in the Planning Commission of India. Honors and Research Work He was an astrophysicist, known for research in high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. He studied cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma rays, and their impact on Earth's atmosphere. He was awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his remarkable contributions to science and the nation.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Ex Isro chief K Kasturirangan, who donned many hats, dies at 84 in Bengaluru
Dr K Kasturirangan BENGALURU: Former Isro chairman K Kasturirangan , 85, who had donned many hats in his long career as a scientist and administrator breathed his last at 10.43am at his residence in Bengaluru, on Friday (April 25, 2025). He had been unwell for several months. As per Isro, his body will be kept in RRI for paying last respects on Sunday (April 27) from 10am to 12pm. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru His health particularly suffered after a heart attack in Sri Lanka on July 10, 2023, when he was airlifted to Bengaluru's Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital for treatment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo His contributions to the Indian space programme has been immense: He oversaw activities relating to India's INSAT-2, a new generation communication satellite and two remote sensing satellites. Much prior to this, he was the project director of India's first two experimental satellites, Bhaskara-I and II. He served as Isro chairman for nine long years before being replaced by Madhavan Nair in August 2003. According to Isro: 'Further, 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 put India as a pre-eminent space-faring nation among the handful of six countries that have major space programmes.' As an Astrophysicist, Kasturirangan's interest included research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. Isro says he has made extensive and significant contributions to studies of Cosmic x-ray sources, celestial gamma-ray and effect of cosmic x-rays in the lower atmosphere. Kasturirangan was a member of several important scientific academies, both within India and abroad. Born on October 24, 1940, at Ernakulam to C M Krishnaswamy Iyer and Visalakshi, Kasturirangan completed his Bachelor of Science with honours and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Bombay University and received his doctorate degree in Experimental High Energy Astronomy in 1971 working at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. 'Under his leadership as Chairman, Isro, the space programme witnessed several major milestones including the successful launching and operationalisation of the India's prestigious launch vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and more recently, the first successful flight testing of the all important Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV),' according to Isro. After superannuating from Isro, Kasturirangan became a Rajya Sabha member, served as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University , chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission and director of National Institute of Advanced Studies. He was also a member of the now defunct Planning Commission of India. More recently he was instrumental in formulating India's new education policy, as chairman of the National Education Policy (NEP) committee. Among other things, the government had also commissioned a report from a team led by him on the Western Ghats, recommendations from where, however, not yet been implemented. Domestically, he was a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India, Indian National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical Society of India, National Telematics Forum, The Indian Meteorological Society etc, while he was also a member of the International Astronomical Union and the International Academy of Astronautics and is a member of its Board of Trustees. 'He has chaired some of the prestigious international committees, such as, the International Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), Panel for Space Research in Developing countries of COSPAR/ICSU, and the committee meeting at senior official level of UN-ESCAP, that led to the adoption of the "Delhi Declaration" by the Ministers of the region (1999-2000),' according to Isro. Further, he was the chairman of the Governing Board of the UN Centre for Space Science & Technology Education (UN-CSSTE), among the Board of Governors of IIT Chennai, member of the Governing Council of the Raman Research Institute and Research Council of the National Aerospace Laboratory. While he has won several awards, including the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award in Engineering, the government has recognised his contributions through Padma Vibhushan. He has published more than 240 papers in the areas of astronomy, space science and applications, and has edited six books.
