K. Radhakrishnan a.k.a. Koppillil Radhakrishnan (born 29 August 1949) is an Indian space scientist who headed the

Indian Space Research Organisation The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ) is India's national List of government space agencies, space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It serves as the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), ...

(ISRO) as Chairman of Space Commission, Secretary of the Department of Space,

Government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...

. Under his leadership,

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

became the first country to reach Mars in its first attempt. Presently, he is the chairperson of the Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the IIT Council; chairman of the overarching Committee set up my Ministry of Education for strengthening the Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions; Chairman of the Expert Committees of DST on 'Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) & 'Sophisticated Analytical Instruments Facilities (SAIF)'; and chairman, High-powered Committee of Indian Knowledge Systems, Ministry of Education-Government of India besides being the Chairman of the Council of Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata, a Member of National Security Advisory Board, and Space Commission and Honorary Distinguished Advisor in the Department of Space/ ISRO. He is a Fellow of the

Indian National Academy of Engineering The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) was founded in 1987. It consists of India's engineers, engineer-scientists and technologists covering the entire spectrum of engineering disciplines. The academy is registered under the Socie ...

; Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India; Honorary Life Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, India; Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, India; Member of the International Academy of Astronautics; Distinguished Fellow of Astronautical Society o
India
Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences; Honorary Fellow of the Kerala Academy of Sciences; Fellow of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing; and Fellow of the Indian Geophysical Union. He is an accomplished

vocalist Singing is the art of creating music with the voice. It is the oldest form of musical expression, and the human voice can be considered the first musical instrument. The definition of singing varies across sources. Some sources define singi ...

(

Carnatic music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

) and

Kathakali ''Kathakali'' (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Kathakaḷi ) is a traditional form of Indian Classical Dance, and one of the most complex forms of Theatre of India, Indian theatre. It is a play of verses. These vers ...

artist. Penguin Random House India published his autobiography ''My Odyssey: Memoirs of the Man Behind the Mangalyaan Mission'' (), co-authored by Radhakrishnan and Nilanjan Routh, in November 2016.

Education and personal life

Koppillil Radhakrishnan hails from

Irinjalakuda Irinjalakuda is a municipal town in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of Irinjalakuda Revenue Division, Thrissur Rural Police and Mukundapuram Taluk. After Thrissur, this town has most number of administrative, law-enfor ...

Thrissur district Thrissur (), anglicised as Trichur, is one of the List of districts of Kerala, 14 districts in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the central region of the state. Spanning an area of about , th ...

, Kerala. After his schooling at the National High School,

, he did two-year Pre-degree studies (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) at

Christ College, Irinjalakuda Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, is a government-aided college located in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India. It stands as a Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Syro-Malabar Catholic educational institution administered by the Carmelites of Mary ...

. He studied Electrical Engineering at the Government Engineering College, Thrissur and acquired BSc (Engg.) degree in First Class with Honours from Kerala University in 1970. He did post-graduate studies in management at

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore or IIMB) is a reputed business school and an Institute of National Importance located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Founded in 1973, it was chronologically the third in the first gener ...

in 1974–76. He obtained doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, in 2000, for the thesis: 'Some Strategies for the Management of Indian Earth Observation System'. Radhakrishnan married Padmini Kizhakke Valappil from Irinjalakuda in 1983. Padmini worked with

State Bank of Travancore State Bank of Travancore (SBT) was a major Indian bank headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and was a major associate of State Bank of India. SBT was a subsidiary of the State Bank of India, State Bank Group, but also had private sh ...

from 1980 to 2010.

Indian Space Research Organisation

Radhakrishnan joined ISRO in May 1971 at the Space Science & Technology Centre at Thiruvananthapuram (the present

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram, in the India ...

) as a design and development engineer of electro-mechanical devices. Later he worked on system planning and technology management for avionics systems of SLV-3, ASLV and

PSLV The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite ...

. During 1981–97, at the ISRO Headquarters, he oversaw the preparation and review of annual budgets of ISRO, formulation of decade profile and Five Year Plans for Indian Space programme and the related techno-economic analysis.

Remote Sensing Applications.

As Project Director, he set up a chain of regional remote sensing service centres (RRSSC) at Bangalore, Nagpur, Kharagpur, Jodhpur and Dehradun for capacity building in central and state government agencies. While he was the director, RRSSCs came to prominence in the national remote sensing application missions including the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) aimed at generation of spatial database of natural resources and action plans for sustainable development of land and water resources. Later, Radhakrishnan succeeded as the mission director of IMSD and moved to National Remote Sensing Agency in Hyderabad. IMSD was considered as largest remote sensing application experiment ever done in the world using a meticulous participatory approach. As the director of National Remote Sensing Agency, he scripted India's modern multi-mission ground station for Earth Observation Satellites.

Space Transportation System and Chandrayaan-1 Mission

While at

as its director, he oversaw five successful launches of

including development of its high-end version PSLV –XL that lofted Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 as well as formulation of Indian Human Spaceflight programme.

Chief of India's Space Programme

As India's space chief from November 2009 to December 2014, Radhakrishnan led ISRO to achieve 37 space missions including several historic feats including Mars Orbiter Mission; flying Indian Cryogenic Engine on GSLV; the first experimental flight of the GSLV Mk III; a re-entry experiment of an uncrewed crew module; and new space capabilities through

IRNSS Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), with an operational name of NavIC (acronym for Navigation with Indian Constellation; also, 'sailor' or 'navigator' in Indian languages), is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system ...

( 1A, 1B, 1C) for navigation;

GSAT-7 GSAT-7 or INSAT-4F is a multi-band military communications satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The Indian Navy is the user of the multi-band communication spacecraft, which has been operational since September 2013. Acc ...

for strategic communication; and RISAT-1 for microwave radar imaging. ISRO completed two joint satellite missions ( Megha Tropiques and SARAL) with the French National Space Agency and inked another agreement with

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

to jointly build an advanced Radar Imaging Satellite. India's standing in the global space market was enhanced as PSLV launched 18 commercial satellites for 11 countries. Through an inclusive organisational process, Radhakrishnan charted out clear programmatic directions and nurtured younger generation of leaders for carrying forward the legacy of ISRO. Re-defining the '' Chandrayaan-2'' mission with Indigenous lander and rover and extending the application of space technologies and tools to all central ministries are highlights of his leadership regime at ISRO. He worked to enhance the partnership with the Indian space industry for the production of operational launchers and satellites. During his leadership, ISRO received the 2014 Gandhi Peace Prize; the 2014

Indira Gandhi Prize The Indira Gandhi Prize, or the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, also known as Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, is the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust

Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)

Mars Orbiter Mission Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), unofficially known as ''Mangalyaan'' (Sanskrit: 'Mars', 'Craft, Vehicle'), is a space probe orbiting Mars since 24 September 2014. It was launched on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ...

(MOM; aka ''Mangalyaan'') was conceived, planned and executed, within four years (2010–2014), establishing India as the first country to have successful mission to Mars in its maiden attempt, and at significantly low cost (INR 4.5 Billion) .

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a class of expendable launch systems operated by the ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GSLV has been used in List of GSLV launches, fifteen launches since 2001. History The Geo ...
and Indian Cryogenic Stage

GSLV had a checkered history in its initial flights of 2001-2007 and they were powered by cryogenic upper stage of Russia. After failure of the Indian Cryogenic upper stage on GSLV in April 2010 (GSLV-D3) and recurrence one more failure of GSLV with Russian Cryogeinc upper stage (GSLV-F06) in December 2010, Radhakrishnan steered ISRO towards the landmark success in January 2014 GSLV-D5. This marked the beginning of the successful series of GSLV with Indian Cryogenic Upper Stage.

Ocean Observation and Information Services

Radhakrishnan had a stint of five years the Ministry of Earth Sciences to set up, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster of December 2004, he emerged as the Project Director to set up the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre.

Kathakali and Carnatic Music

Radhakrishnan is a

and

enthusiast and performer. Radhakrishnan was drawn into the world of performing arts from childhood. After formal training in Kerala Natanam, under Professor Thrippunithura Vijayabhanu, he had training in

dance under Guru Pallippuram Gopalan Nair, Kalanilayam Raghavan and Shri T.V.A Varier. Also, he was trained in

by eminent musicians like Prof. Vechoor Harihara Subramania Iyer, Dr. R.K. Srikantan, Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana; currently he is student of Vidwan R.S. Ramakanth. Dr. Radhakrishnan has performed at Bengaluru Sangeethotsav, Sankranthi Music Festival of RK Srikantan Trust, Swaralaya, Bangalore Centre for Kathakali and Arts, JSS Sangeetha Sabha, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar Music Festival at Chennai. He has been singing at the Guruvayoor Chembai Sangeetholsavam every year since 2008.

Positions held

He has held several key positions in ISRO and was one of the key people behind India's '' Chandrayaan-1'' Moon mission. He has held the following positions: * Project Director, Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1987–1989) * Director, Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1989–1997) * Director, Budget and Economic Analysis, Indian Space Research Organisation/Department of Space, Bangalore, India (1987–1997) * National Mission Director, Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development and a deputy director of the National Remote Sensing Agency (1997–2000) * Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (2000–2005) * Project Director, Indian Tsunami Warning System (2005) * Vice Chairman -

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) was established by resolution 2.31 adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It first met in Paris at ...

(IOC) of

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

(2001–2005) * Founding Chairman, Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (2001–2006) * Regional Coordinator, Indian Ocean for the International Argo Project (2001–2005) * Director, National Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Space (2005–2008) * President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2005–2007) * Vice President, Indian Geophysical Union (2007–2009) * Member of the Indian delegation to the

United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is a United Nations committee whose main task is to review and foster international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, as well as to consider legal issues a ...

(2006–2009) * Director,

, Thiruvananthapuram, India (2007–2009) * Member, Space Commission (2008–2009) * Chairman, 'Working Group of the Whole' of S&T Sub-Committee of UN COPUOS (2008 & 2009) * Chairman, Space Commission & Secretary, Department of Space * Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, India (2009–2014) * Chairman, Board of Antrix Corporation, Bangalore, India (November 2009-July 2011) * Chairman, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India (2009–2014) * Member, Planning Committee of National Natural Resources Management System (2009–2014) * Chairman, NNRMS Standing Committee on Technology & Training (2009–2014) * President, Astronautical Society of India (2010–2014) * Member of CSIR Society and Member of CSIR Governing Council (2010–2013) * Chairman, Research Council of National Aerospace Laboratory (2010–2013) * Ex-officio Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to Prime Minister (2009–2014) * Ex-officio Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet (2009–2014) * Chairman, Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India (2014–2017) * Adviser, Department of Space/Indian Space Research Organisation (2016 & 2017) * Honorary Distinguished Adviser, Department of Space/Indian Space Research Organisation (March 2018 – present) *Chairman, Board of Management, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (present) *Chairperson, Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (February 2019 – present) *Chairperson, Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (October 2020-September 2023) *Chairman, Standing Committee of the IIT Council (December 2019 – present) *Member, Space Commission (February 2022 – present) *Chairperson, Oversight Committee of DST on Science & Engineering Research Board SERB-DST (May 2022 – October 2024] *Chairman, Expert Committee of DST on 'Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (November 2022 – present) *Chairman, Expert Committee of DST on 'Sophisticated Analytical Instruments Facilities (November 2023 – present)) *Chairman, High-powered Committee of Indian Knowledge Systems, Ministry of Education (October 2022 – present) *Chairman, Committee for strengthening the Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions, Ministry of Education (November 2022 – November 2023) *Chairman, High-Level Committee of Experts set up by the Union Ministry of Education (in June 2024) to ensure smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency. Chairman, Council of Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata (2024-2026)

Major Awards and honours

*2003: K.R. Ramanathan Memorial Gold Medal of Indian Geophysical Union *2005: VASVIK Industrial Research Award *2006: Silver Jubilee Honour by Ministry of Earth Sciences *2008: BHASKARA Award of Indian Society of Remote Sensing *2008: Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award of the A.P Academy of Sciences *2009: Social Sciences Award of the International Academy of Astronautics *2010: Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award of Indian Science Congress *2010: Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT, Kharagpur *2010: Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIM, Bangalore *2014: ISRO's Lifetime Achievement Award *2014: The Allan D. Emil Award of International Astronautical Federation *2014: Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award *2014: Technovation-Sarabhai Award of Indian Electronics & Semiconductor Association *2014: Radhakrishnan received the

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan (IAST: ''Padma Bhūṣaṇa'', lit. 'Lotus Decoration') is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 Januar ...

Award for contribution to Science and Engineering, especially in the field of Space Science and Technology. *2014: Named one of ''Nature'' ten "people who mattered" of 2014 on 18 December 2014, along with Radhika Nagpal, and others. *2015: Lifetime Achievent Award of Union Bank of India *2015: Lifetime Outstanding Innovation Award Indore Management Association *2015: Bharat Asmita Vigyan Tantragyaan Shreshta *2015: P.C. Chandra Purashkar for Lifetime Achievement *2016:

Asian Scientist 100 The Asian Scientist 100 is an annually published list of 100 prize-winning Asian researchers, academicians, innovators and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region and a range of scientific disciplines. Recipients "must have received ...

, ''

Asian Scientist ''Asian Scientist'' is an English language science and technology magazine published in Singapore. History and profile ''Asian Scientist'' was launched as a blog in March 2011 by Juliana Chan. The blog's popularity eventually led to a partnersh ...

'' *2016: Lifetime Achievement Award, Engineers' Forum, Nagpur *2017: Global Indian (Science) Award of Times Network *2018: Qimpro Platinum Standard 2018 (Business) He has been conferred a doctorate by IIT Kharagpur and honorary doctorates by 12 Indian universities .

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Radhakrishnan, K. 1949 births Living people Malayali people Scientists from Kerala Kathakali exponents People from Irinjalakuda Indian aerospace engineers Indian Space Research Organisation people IIT Kharagpur alumni Indian Institute of Management Bangalore alumni Government Engineering College, Thrissur alumni Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in science & engineering Engineers from Kerala Dancers from Kerala Indian male dancers 20th-century Indian engineers 21st-century Indian engineers