Avionic expert Dr K Radhakrishnan, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) here, has been appointed as Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC sources said.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan (born August 29, 1949) is from Iringalakuda, Trichur, Kerala.
A senior scientist who played a key role in several Indian space missions, Radhakrishnan succeeds Dr G Madhavan Nair who is retiring this month-end.
"I am extremely glad. It is a very huge responsibility that has been given to me. A lot of hopes and expectations are there about Indian space programmes. My mission now is to lead team ISRO to achieve the objectives", Radhakrishnan.
He said space applications, satellites and launch vehicles were 'programmes of thrust'. Another imporant mission is the human space flight programme, he said.
Dr. Radhakrishnan had his engineering degree from Kerala University, MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore and doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur.He began his career in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as an avionics engineer at the VSSC.
Mr. Radhakrishnan had held positions such as the director of the Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres of the National Natural Resources Management System, director of Budget and Economic Analysis wing of ISRO, national director of Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development and director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Service.
He had also headed the project for developing an Early Warning System against Tsunami and Storm Surges, before becoming the director of National Remote Sensing Agency in November 2005.
Mr. Radhakrishnan had also held several key responsibilities at the international level.
He was the vice chairman of Inter Governmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO from 2001 to 2005, chairman of the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System from 2001 to 2006, coordinator in the Indian Ocean region for the International Agro Project and member and executive of International Agro Steering Team from 2001 to 2005.
He is a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space since June 2006.
