Udupi Ramachandra Rao

U. R. Rao/ಯು ಆರ್ ರಾವ್

Rao circa 2008
Born (1932-03-10) 10 March 1932
Adamaru, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Fields Space science and Satellite Technology
Institutions Indian Space Research Organisation
Physical Research Laboratory
Known for Indian Space Program
Notable awards Padma Bhushan (1976)

Udupi Ramachandra Rao, popularly known as U. R. Rao [1] is a space scientist and former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Presently he is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru and chancellor of Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram.

Rao was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1976. He was inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington on March 19, 2013 at a ceremony organised by the Society of Satellite Professionals International. With this he became the first Indian to be inducted.[2][3] He is also to be inducted in International Astronautics Federation (IAF) as on 15th May 2016. He is also the first Indian again to achieve such a feat.[4]

Early life

U. R. Rao was born at Adamaru in Karnataka State, India. His parents were Lakshminarayana Acharya and Krishnaveni Amma. He had his primary education at Adamaru. He completed his secondary education from Christian High School, Udupi. He completed his B.Sc in Government Arts and Science College, Anantpur, M.Sc from Banaras Hindu University and Ph.D at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad under the guidance of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.[5]

Education

After working as a Faculty Member at MIT and Assistant Professor at University of Texas at Dallas where he carried out investigations as a prime experimenter on a number of Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft, Rao returned to India in 1966 as a professor at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

Career

Rao started his career as a cosmic ray scientist, under Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, which work he continued at MIT. In association with the JPL Group, he was the first to establish the continuous nature of the solar wind and its effect on geomagnetism using Mariner 2 observations. Rao's experiments on a number of Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft led to a complete understanding of the solar cosmic ray phenomena and the electromagnetic state of the interplanetary space. Convinced of the imperative need to use space technology for rapid development, Rao undertook the responsibility for the establishment of satellite technology in India in 1972.[7] Under his guidance, beginning with the first Indian satellite "Aryabhata" in 1975, over 18 satellites including Bhaskara, APPLE, Rohini, INSAT-1 and INSAT-2 series of multipurpose satellites and the IRS-1A and IRS-1B remote sensing satellites were designed, fabricated and launched for providing communication, remote sensing and meteorological services.

As Chairman of ISRO

After taking charge as Chairman, Space Commission and Secretary, Department of Space in 1985, Rao accelerated the development of rocket technology [8] resulting in the successful launch of ASLV rocket in 1992. He was also responsible for the development of the operational PSLV launch vehicle, which successfully launched an 850 kg. satellite into a polar orbit in 1995. Rao initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991. He was responsible for successful launch of INSAT satellites during his stint at ISRO. The launch of INSAT satellites gave a thrust to communications in India, during the 1980s and 1990s. The successful launch of INSAT provided telecommunication links to remote corners of India. During these decades fixed telephone (called as landline) expanded throughout country due to availability of satellite links at different places in the ground. People could talk easily from anywhere by use of STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) instead of waiting for hours to get the connection. This development played a key role in future for India to develop as an Information Technology hub. He was the first Chairman of Antrix Corporation. he received Padma bhushana in 1976.

Additional responsibilities

Chairman, Karnataka State Science and Technology, Chairman, Bangalore Association of Science Education-JNP, Chancellor, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Member, Central Board of Directors, Reserve Bank of India, Additional Director, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd., Bangalore, Chairman of the Governing Council of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.

Rao has published over 300 scientific and technical papers in various national and international journals covering cosmic rays, interplanetary physics, high energy astrophysics, space applications and satellite and rocket technology. He has authored many books, including "Physics of the Communication", "Space and Agenda 21 - Caring for the Planet Earth" and "Space Technology for Sustainable Development".

Rao is an elected Fellow of many academies such as Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers, International Academy of Astronautics and Third World Academy of Sciences. Rao was conferred Fellowship of the World Academy of Arts & Sciences. He was the General President of the Indian Science Congress Association for 1995-96. Rao was the Vice President of International Astronautical Federation (IAF) during 1984 to 1992 and continues to be the Chairman of the Committee for Liaison with Developing Countries (CLIODN) since 1986. Rao was elected as the Chairman of United Nations - Committee On Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) in June 1997 and also Chairman of UNISPACE-III Conference. He was elected as the Chairman of the 30th International Antarctic Treaty Consultative Committee Meeting at Delhi in April 2007.

He is the Co-Chairman of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa.[9] He was the first chairman of Prasar Bharati.[10]

Awards

He is the recipient of many national and international awards, such as :[11][12]

National Awards
  • 1975 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
  • 1975 Hari Om Vikram Sarabhai Award
  • 1975 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in the Space science & technology field[13]
  • 1976 Padma Bhushan[14]
  • 1980 National Design Award
  • 1980 Vasvik Research Award in the Electronic Sciences & Technology field[15]
  • 1983 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
  • 1987 PC Mahalnobis Medal
  • 1993 Om Prakash Bhasin Award in the Energy & Aerospace field[16]
  • 1993 Meghnad Saha Medal
  • 1994 P.C. Chandra Puraskar Award
  • 1994 Electronics Man of the Year Award by ELCINA[17]
  • 1995 Zaheer Hussain Memorial Award
  • 1995 Aryabhata Award
  • 1995 Jawaharhal Nehru Award
  • 1996 SK Mitra Birth Centenary Gold Medal
  • 1997 Yudhvir Foundation Award[18]
  • 1997 Rabindranath Tagore Award of Viswa Bharati University
  • 1999 Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science & Technology[19]
  • 2001 Nadoja Award from Kannada University, Hampi
  • 2001 Life Time Contribution Award in Engineering of INAE[20]
  • 2002 Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Award
  • 2003 Press Bureau of India Award
  • 2004 Star of India Award from Vishwabharathy Foundation, Hyderabad
  • 2004 Special Award 2004, Karnataka Media Academy[10]
  • 2005 Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Outstanding Leadership Award[21]
  • 2007 Life Time Achievement Award of Indian Space Research Organisation
  • 2007 Distinguished Scientist Gold Medal of the Karnataka Science & Technology Academy.
  • 2007 Vishwamanava Award by Vishwamanava Samsthe[22]
  • 2007 A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award[23]
  • 2008 Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award for 2007-2008 from ISCA
International Awards

Honours

D. Litt. (Hon. Causa) from Kannada University, Hampi

D.Sc (Hons. Causa) from the Universities of:

Fellowships / Memberships

Professional Activities in International Arena

Other roles

Books authored

References

  1. ↑ DD to improve quality of programmes
  2. 1 2 "U.R. Rao inducted into Satellite Hall of Fame". The Hindu. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 "SSPI Announces the 2013 Satellite Hall of Fame Inductees". Society of Satellite Professionals International. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  4. 1 2 "Prof U R Rao inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington" (Press release). http://www.isro.org/. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ↑ Prof. U. R. Rao was married to Mrs. Yashoda Rao. "India's Pioneer Space Scientist – Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao". karnataka.com. 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  6. ↑ "Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao - Biodata". ISRO. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Indian Fellow". Indian National Science Academy. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  8. ↑ http://www.isro.org/Ourchairman/former/urrao_introduction.aspx
  9. ↑ "Morale of space scientists hit, says U.R. Rao". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 28 January 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Space scientist gets Media Academy award". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 27 November 2004.
  11. ↑ "Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao - Awards Honours". ISRO. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  12. ↑ "PANDIT GOVIND BALLABH PANT MEMORIAL LECTURE - IV" (PDF). Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Handbook of SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR Prize winners(1958 - 1998)" (PDF). HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP - COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. 1999. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Award winners - Electronic Sciences & Technology". Vasvik Foundation. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "SHRI OM PRAKASH BHASIN AWARDS". Om Prakash Bhasin Foundation. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Past Award Winners". Electronic Industries Association of India. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  18. ↑ "Narendra Rai bags Yudhvir award". The Hindu. Hyderabad, India. 28 April 2004.
  19. ↑ "Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science & Technology". International Institute of Fine Arts. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "LIFE TIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD IN ENGINEERING". Indian National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "Scientists exhorted to have social sensitivity". The Hindu. Tirupati, India. 24 September 2005.
  22. ↑ "Award for U R Rao". Deccan Herald. Bangalore, India. 25 December 2007.
  23. ↑ "Award for U.R. Rao". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 17 April 2008.
  24. 1 2 3 "PROFESSOR U.R.RAO IS TO PRESIDE OVER THE PLENARY SESSIONS OF UNISPACE III". UNISPACE III - United Nations. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  25. ↑ "U.R. Rao among 'top 10 personalities'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 1 September 2004.
Government offices
Preceded by
Satish Dhawan		 ISRO Chairman
1984 - 1994 		Succeeded by
K Kasturirangan
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