MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS

OF INDIAN SPACE
RESEARCH
VIKRAM SARABHAYI (1919-1971)
BIRTH AND EDUCATION

• Born on 12 August, 1919 at Ahmedabad

• He attended Gujarat College, Ahmedabad, but later moved to the
University of Cambridge, England
• In 1945 he returned to Cambridge to pursue his PhD and wrote a
thesis, “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes”, in 1947
CONTRIBUTIONS

• Initiation of space research and development of nuclear power in

India.
• He played an important role in convincing Government to initiate
space research programs.
• He convinced the Government of India to form the Indian National
Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962 and was the first
chairperson of the committee.
• INCOSPAR was later renamed as Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) in 1969. He played an advisory role in the new setup.
ACHIEVEMENTS

• He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma

Vibhushan in 1972.
A.P.J ABDUL KALAM (1931-2015)
BIRTH AND EDUCATION

• Born on 15 Oct 1931 at Rameswaram of Tamilnadu.

• He had completed his schooling on Schwartz, higher secondary
school Ramanathapuram.
• Received graduation in physics from madas University on 1954.
• He moved to madras in 1955 for studying Aerospace engineering in
Madras Institute Of Technology.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• Project Director in developing India’s first Indigenous Satellite
Launch Vehicle.
• He was the brain behind multiple Nuclear Tests Carried out in
Pokran , 1998 Which made India a Nuclear Weapon State.
• He was deeply involved in country’s Light Compact Aircraft
Project.
• He was the driving force behind the development of Lightweight
Callipers for Patients with motor disabilities.
BOOKS AND DOCUMENTARIES
• Wings of Fire is the Autobiography by A P J Abdul Kalam.
• Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology.
• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium.
• The Luminous Sparks.
• Inspiring Thoughts.
• Ignited Minds
ACHIEVEMENTS
• He was honoured with Padmabhushan on 1981 and Padma
Vibhushan on 1990 fir his work with ISRO and DRDO.
• Kalam received India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna,
for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of
defence technology in India.
• In 2008 Kalam was the recipient of Hoover Medal.
• In 2013, he was the recipient of the Von Braun Award from the
National Space Society “to recognize excellence in the
management and leadership of a space-related project”
SATISH DHAVAN (1920-2002)
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• Born on 25 September 1920 at Srinagar,jammu and kashmir.
• Graduated in Physics, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering
from University Of Punjab.
• Completed Aeronautical Engineering degree from california
Institute Of Technology.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• Carried out pioneering experiments in rural education, remote
sensing and satellite communications.
• Credited for Setting up the first supersonic wind tunnel in India at
IISc(Indian Institute Of Science).
• In 1972, he took over as Chairman of ISRO.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and Padma Bhushan in
1971.
• Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration, 1999.
• Distinguished Alumnus Award, California Institute of Technology,
1969.
G. MADHAVAN NAIR
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• He was born in 31 October 1931,on kulesekharam(Kanyakumari
Dist).
• Graduated with a B.Sc. In Engineering in Electronics &
Communication Engineering(1966) from Kerala University.
• After graduation, he attended a training program at the Bhabha
Atomic Research Center (BARC) Training School, Mumbai.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• He led the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• He played a central role in the design and development of the
crucial cryogenic engine for GSLV( Geo-synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle).
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and the Padma
Vibhushan in 2009.
• Received Gold Medal from the Prime Minister at the 94th Indian
Science Congress at Chidambaram in 2007.
• Conferred with “Raja Rammohan Puraskar” award on 2008.
NAMBI NARAYANAN
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• He was born on 12 December 1941 at Nagercoil(Kanyakumari Dist).
• He completed his schooling at Higher Secondary School, Nagercoil.
• Received a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from
Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• The brain behind creation of the Vikas Engine, which enabled India
to advance quickly into the PSLV rocket era.
• Involved in the development of several new aircraft models.
• Creator of Akasa Air’s patented flight control systems.
BOOKS AND DOCUMENTARIES
• Ormakalude Bhramanapadham, is the Autobiography by Nambi
Narayanan.
• Ready To Fire, which deals with How India and he Survived the
ISRO Spy Case.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2019.
K. SHIVAN
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
He was born on14 April 1957 at Mela Sarakkalvilai, Tamil Nadu.
• He is the first graduate from his family.
• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering
from Madras Institute of Technology in 1980.
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore in 1982.
• Earned doctoral degree in aerospace engineering from Indian
Institute of Technology, mumbai in 2006.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• Contributions include his pioneering work on cryogenic engines,
which are pivotal for launching heavy payloads into space.
• Took part in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project and
he made remarkable efforts to operate rocket propulsion and
vehicle launch technology.
• He is nick named as the “Rocket Man Of India”
ACHIEVEMENTS
Honoured with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award in 2019.
• Awarded with IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, shared with Byrana N.
Suresh in 2020.
TESSY THOMAS
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• Born April 1963 on Alapuzha District kerala.
• Graduated from Government Engineering College, Thrissur.
• Has an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament
Technology, Pune.
• Pursued MBA in Operations Management and Ph.D. In guidance
missile under the Defence Research and Development
Organisation.
CONTRIBUTIONS
• At DRDO, she helped to design a range of missiles and launch
vehicles for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• She was the associate project director of the 3,000 km range Agni-
III missile project.
• Worked on the design and developments of the new generation
ballistic missile, Agni.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Received the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for her
contribution for making India self-reliant in the field of missile
technology.
• DRDO Scientist of the Year in 2008.
• DRDO Performance Excellence Award for 2011 and 2012.
S. SOMANATH
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• Born on July 1963,Cherthala, Kerala.
• Received Graduate degree in mechanical engineering from Kerala
University.
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of
Science with specialization in dynamics and control.
• Done Ph.D. Thesis at Indian Institute of Technology Madras(IIT
Madras).
CONTRIBUTIONS
• Known for his contributions to launch vehicle design.
• He was associated with Polar Satellite Launch Vehicleproject
during its initial phase.
• On 23 August 2023, he as ISRO chairman spearheaded the soft
landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the lunar surface.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Awarded Space Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India
(ASI).
• Performance Excellence Award and Team Excellence Award from
ISRO for contributions to GSLV Mk.III.
• Corresponding Member of the International Academy of
Astronautics (IAA).
• Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)
 On 23 August 2023, he as ISRO chairman spearheaded the
soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the lunar
surface

ENTS