Dr Koppillil Radhakrishnan is an Indian space scientist and the former Chairman of the Space Commission, Secretary of the Department of Space, and Chairman of ISRO (2009-2014).
Wiki/Biography
Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on Monday, 29 August 1949, (age 74 years; as of 2023) in Irinjalakuda, Kerala. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He grew up in a joint family that managed a twenty-acre paddy farm, a herd of cattle, and 25 farm labourers. He completed his schooling at the National High School, Irinjalakuda. After that, he did two-year Pre-degree studies (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) at Christ College, Irinjalakuda.In 1970, he completed his graduation from Kerela University in Electrical Engineering. Then, he completed his PGDM at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB) in 1976. In 2000, he received a doctorate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; his thesis was titled “Some Strategies for Indian Earth Observation System.”
A photo of K. Radhakrishnan (centre) with T. N. Seshan, Secretary to Government of India, taken in 1987
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Salt and Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife & Children
A picture of K Radhakrishnan with his Wife
Religion/Religious Views
Radhakrishnan follows Hinduism. He once talked about religion and science and said,
Religion and science go hand-in-hand. And when the two join it is nice.” ((IndiansinKuwait.com))
Career
ISRO
In 1971, Radhakrishnan joined ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) as an Avionics design and development engineer. From 1987 to 1997, he took the responsibility of Director of Budget & Economic Analysis for ISRO and Project Director of five Regional Remote Sensing Centres.
Space Transportation System and Chandrayaan-1 Mission
From 2007-2009, he became the director of the VSSC and led several successful launches of PSLV including the first flight of the high-end version PSLV–XL that launched Chandrayaan-1.
Launch of Chandrayaan-1 (India’s first mission to the moon)
Chairman of ISRO
From November 2009 to December 2014, K. Radhakrishnan served as the Chairman of ISRO during which he executed 37 space missions. His tenure also redefined the Chandrayaan-2 mission which included indigenous lander and rover.
K Radhakrishnan observing India’s first mission to Mars, Mangalyaan.
NRSA
He scripted India’s modern multi-mission ground station at Shadnagar for Earth Observation Satellites at the Department of Space as Director of NRSA from 2005 to 2008
Ocean Observation and Information Services
From 2000 to 2005, he served at the Ministry of Earth Sciences as the Founding Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
K Radhakrishnan at the foundation day of INCOIS
He later became the Regional Coordinator of the ‘Indian Ocean for International Argo profiling float Project.’ He later also became the first Project Director of India’s Tsunami Early Warning System.
K Radhakrishnan’s visit to INCOIS in 2015
UNESCO
From 2001 to 2005, Dr. Radhakrishnan was Vice Chairman of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)
K. Radhakrishnan led the mission and oversaw the activities of ISRO as well as the mission.
A picture of K Radhakrishnan after the PSLV C25 launch
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV)
In January 2014, Radhakrishnan directed ISRO towards the landmark success of GSLV-D5.
An image of GSLV-D5
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 2003, the K.R. Ramanathan Memorial Gold Medal of the Indian Geophysical Union
- In 2005, VASVIK Industrial Research Award in Electrical and Electronics Sciences & Technology
- In 2006, the Silver Jubilee Honour by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
- In 2008, BHASKARA Award of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2008)
- In 2009, the Social Sciences Award of the International Academy of Astronautics
- In 2009, Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences
- In 2010, Distinguished Alumnus Award” from IIT Kharagpur and IIM Bangalore
- In 2010, Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award of The Indian Science Congress
- In 2010, Athivishishta Rajakeeya Puraskaram – “Sastra Ratna” by the Pazhassiraja Charitable Trust
- In 2014, awarded the Padma-Bhushan
- In 2014, The prestigious Allan D Emil Memorial Award from The International Astronautical Federation
Favourites
- Book: The Spiritual Heritage of Saint Tyagaraja by S. Radhakrishnan and C. Ramanujachari, Natya Sastram by Bharata
- Music: Carnatic music
K Radhakrishnan at Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple in Sangeetha-archana on 30 October 2017.
Facts/Trivia
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K Radhakrishnan learned music in 1995. He is also a Kathakali dancer.
A performance of K. Radhakrishnan in the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple at the Chembai Sangeetholsavam 2012
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He learned Carnatic music from the late R.K. Srikantan and Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, and Kathakali from Tripunithura Vijayabhanu and T.V.A. Varier. ((Frontline))
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, who used to be the chairman of ISRO, is singing Carnatic music at Koodalmanikyam Temple in Kerala.
He is skilled in Carnatic music and is also a Kathakali dancer.
Bharat has consistently been a place where science, spirituality, and culture come… pic.twitter.com/amJcRfGDeF
— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) September 28, 2023
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In 1980, he gave his first stage performance in Carnatic music at the Koodalmanikyam temple in his hometown.
- More than 55 publications, including 12 in reputed journals and eight in edited books, have been authored by K Radhakrishnan.
- He also performed at Guruvayoor Chembai Music Festival in 2019.
Radhakrishnan performing at Guruvayoor Chembai Music Festival, 2019
- Radhakrishnan wrote ‘My Odyssey’ co-authored with Nilanjan Routh. He presented the first copy to the then-president of India Pranab Mukherjee on 17 November 2016.
Radhakrishnan presenting the first copy of his book My Odyssey – Memoirs of the Man Behind the Mangalyaan Mission on 17 November 2016
