Udupi Ramachandra Rao

Udupi Ramachandra Rao (10 March 1932 – 24 July 2017) was an Indian space scientist and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation.[1] He was also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru and chancellor of the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram.[2]

U. R. Rao
Rao circa 2008
Born	10 March 1932 Adamaru, South Canara, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Udupi district, Karnataka, India)
Died	24 July 2017 (aged 85) Bengaluru, India
Alma mater	Madras University (BSc) Banaras Hindu University (MSc) Gujarat University (PhD)
Known for	Indian Space Program
Spouse(s)	Yashoda Rao
Awards	Padma Bhushan (1976) Padma Vibhushan (2017)
Scientific career
Fields	Space science and Satellite Technology
Institutions	Indian Space Research Organisation Physical Research Laboratory Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru
Doctoral advisor	Vikram Sarabhai

Udupi Ramachandra Rao
Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation
In office 1984–1994
Preceded by	Satish Dhawan
Succeeded by	Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan

Rao was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 2017.[3] He was inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington, on 19 March 2013 at a ceremony organised by the Society of Satellite Professionals International. With this he became the first Indian to be inducted.[4][5] He was also to be inducted in International Astronautics Federation (IAF) on 15 May 2016. He was also the first Indian again to achieve such a feat.[6]

Early life

U. R. Rao was born at Adamaru in the state of Karnataka. In a Brahmin society 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.[7]

Education

• Ph.D. – Gujarat University, 1960
• M.Sc. – Banaras Hindu University, 1954
• B.Sc. – Madras University, 1952[8]

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,[9] Rao returned to India in 1966 as a professor at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.[9][7]

Career

Rao started his career as a cosmic ray scientist, and worked under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, which he continued at MIT. In association with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 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.[10] 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 [11] 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 Science and Technology Academy, 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 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 was 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 was the Co-Chairman of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa.[12] He was the first chairman of Prasar Bharati.[13]

Awards

He was the recipient of many national and international awards, such as :[14][15]

National Awards

• 1975 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
• 1975 Hari Om Vikram Sarabhai Award
• 1975 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in the Space science & technology field[16]
• 1976 Padma Bhushan[17]
• 1980 National Design Award
• 1980 Vasvik Research Award in the Electronic Sciences & Technology field[18]
• 1983 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
• 1987 PC Mahalnobis Medal
• 1993 Om Prakash Bhasin Award in the Energy & Aerospace field[19]
• 1993 Meghnad Saha Medal
• 1994 P.C. Chandra Puraskar Award
• 1994 Electronics Man of the Year Award by ELCINA[20]
• 1995 Zaheer Hussain Memorial Award
• 1995 Aryabhata Award
• 1995 Jawaharhal Nehru Award
• 1996 SK Mitra Birth Centenary Gold Medal
• 1997 Yudhvir Foundation Award[21]
• 1997 Rabindranath Tagore Award of Viswa Bharati University
• 1999 Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science & Technology[22]
• 2001 Nadoja Award from Kannada University, Hampi
• 2001 Life Time Contribution Award in Engineering of INAE[23]
• 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[13]
• 2005 Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Outstanding Leadership Award[24]
• 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[25]
• 2007 A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award[26]
• 2008 Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award for 2007-2008 from ISCA
• 2017 Padma Vibhushan[17]

International Awards

• 1973 Group Achievement Award by NASA, USA
• 1975 Medal of Honour by Academy of Sciences, USSR
• 1991 Yuri Gagarin Medal of USSR[27]
• 1992 Allan D Emil Award on International Cooperation
• 1994 Frank J Malina Award (International Astronautical Federation)[27]
• 1996 Vikram Sarabhai Medal of COSPAR[27]
• 1997 Outstanding Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics for the Book Space Technology for Sustainable Development
• 2000 Eduard Dolezal Award of ISPRS
• 2004 Space News magazine named him as one of the Top 10 International personalities who have made a substantial difference in civil, commerce and military space in the world since 1989[28]
• 2005 Theodore Von Karman Award which is the highest Award of the International Academy of Astronautics.
• 2013 Inducted into Satellite Hall of Fame by Society of Satellite Professionals International' [4][5][6]
• 2016 Inducted into Hall of Fame by International Astronautical Federation.

Honours

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

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

• 1976 Mysore
• 1976 Rahuri
• 1981 Calcutta
• 1984 Mangalore
• 1992 University of Bologna (Italy)
• 1992 Banaras
• 1992 Udaipur
• 1993 Tirupati (SV)
• 1994 Hyderabad (JN)
• 1994 Madras (Anna University)
• 1994 Roorkee University
• 1995 Punjabi University, Patiala
• 1997 Shri Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur
• 1999 Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
• 2001 D.Litt. (Hons. Causa) from Kannada University, Hampi
• 2002 Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut
• 2005 UP Technical University, Lucknow
• 2006 Viswesvaraiah Technical University, Belgaum
• 2007 Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi

Fellowships / Memberships

• Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences
• Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy
• Fellow of National Science Academy
• Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences
• Fellow of the International Academy of Astronautics
• Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering
• Fellow of the Astronautical Society of India
• Hon. Fellow of the Aeronautical Society
• Distinguished Fellow Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers
• Hon. Fellow of Indian National Cartographic Association
• Fellow of Broadcasting and Engineering Society of India
• Hon. Fellow Aero Medical Society of India
• Distinguished Fellow of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
• Fellow of World Academy of Arts & Sciences, USA.
• Fellow of International Aeronautical Federation (IAF) proposed.

Professional Activities in International Arena

• 1986-1992 Vice President, International Astronautical Federation
• 1988 to date President, Committee for Liaison with Developing Nations (CLODIN) of IAF
• 1997-2000 Chairman, UN-COPUOS (United Nations - Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space)
• 1999 President, UNISPACE-III Conference
• 2007 Chairman, 30th International Antarctic Treaty Consultative Committee Meeting

Other roles

• President of UNISPACE III Conference, Vienna, in 1979
• Led Indian Delegation in COPUOS and S&T Sub Committee of COPUOS from 1980 to 1994, UNISPACE-II in 1982 and President UNISPACE-III in 2000.
• Chairman of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1996–1999)

Books authored

• U. R. Rao, K. Kasturirangan, K. R. Sridhara Murthi. and Surendra Pal (Editors), "Perspectives in Communications", World Scientific (1987). ISBN 978-9971-978-76-1
• U. R. Rao, "Space and Agenda 21 - Caring for Planet Earth", Prism Books Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore (1995).
• U. R. Rao, "Space Technology for Sustainable Development", Tata McGraw-Hill Pub., New Delhi (1996)

References

1. "The Hindu : DD to improve quality of programmes". www.hinduonnet.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
2. "Indian space pioneer Udupi Ramachandra Rao passes away". The Hindu. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
3. "List of Padma awardees 2017". The Hindu. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
4. "U.R. Rao inducted into Satellite Hall of Fame". The Hindu. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
5. "SSPI Announces the 2013 Satellite Hall of Fame Inductees". Society of Satellite Professionals International. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
6. "Prof U R Rao inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington" (Press release). isro.org. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
7. Prof. U. R. Rao was married to Mrs. Yashoda Rao. "India's Pioneer Space Scientist – Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao". karnataka.com. 17 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
8. "Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao - Biodata". ISRO. Archived from the original on 16 August 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
9. "Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1984-1994) - ISRO". Department of Space, Indian Space Research Organisation (www.isro.gov.in). Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
10. "Indian Fellow". Indian National Science Academy. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. "Morale of space scientists hit, says U.R. Rao". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
13. "Space scientist gets Media Academy award". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 27 November 2004.
14. "Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao - Awards Honours". ISRO. Archived from the original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
15. "PANDIT GOVIND BALLABH PANT MEMORIAL LECTURE - IV" (PDF). Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
16. "Handbook of SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR Prize winners(1958 - 1998)" (PDF). HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP - COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
17. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
18. "Award winners - Electronic Sciences & Technology". Vasvik Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
19. "SHRI OM PRAKASH BHASIN AWARDS". Om Prakash Bhasin Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
20. "Past Award Winners". Electronic Industries Association of India. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
21. "Narendra Rai bags Yudhvir award". The Hindu. Hyderabad, India. 28 April 2004. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
22. "Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science & Technology". International Institute of Fine Arts. Archived from the original on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
23. "LIFE TIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD IN ENGINEERING". Indian National Academy of Engineering. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
24. "Scientists exhorted to have social sensitivity". The Hindu. Tirupati, India. 24 September 2005.
25. "Award for U R Rao". Deccan Herald. Bangalore, India. 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013.
26. "Award for U.R. Rao". The Hindu. Bangalore, India. 17 April 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
27. "PROFESSOR U.R.RAO IS TO PRESIDE OVER THE PLENARY SESSIONS OF UNISPACE III". UNISPACE III - United Nations. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
28. "U.R. Rao among 'top 10 personalities'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 1 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 December 2004. Retrieved 21 June 2013.

External links

• Interview with Astrotalkuk.org "ISRO the Early Years" August 2013
• Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1984-1994)