♦ Former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru on 25 April 2025. He was 84. He served as the fifth chairman of ISRO between 1994-2003, and also as the Secretary, Department of Space for over nine years.

♦ He was born on October 24, 1940 at Ernakulam in Kerala.

♦ As Chairman of ISRO, Dr. Kasturirangan played a pivotal role in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which went on to become India’s most reliable satellite launcher.

♦ He led the Indian Space Programme for over nine years before stepping down on August 27, 2003.

♦ Before becoming the chairman of ISRO, Kasturirangan served as Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, playing a pivotal role in advancing India’s space capabilities.

♦ Under his leadership, the centre developed cutting-edge spacecraft, including the INSAT-2 series and the IRS-1A and IRS-1B remote sensing satellites. He also oversaw the development of BHASKARA-I and II, India’s pioneering experimental Earth observation missions.

♦ He also served as the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore from April 2004 to 2009.

♦ He also held leadership positions in the International Astronomical Union and the International Academy of Astronautics.

♦ He was also a Rajya Sabha member from 2003 to 2009.

♦ Chairperson of drafting committee on New National Edutation Policy (NEP), Kasturirangan had also served as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.

♦ Kasturirangan was awarded all three of India’s top civilian honours — Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhushan (2000).