Space scientist Kasturirangan passes away
Kochi: Space scientist K Kasturirangan, 84, passed away in his Bengaluru residence on Friday, media reports said.
Winner of three Padma awards and numerous other awards, he was the chief of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The Astrophysicist was also head of the Space Commission and the Department of Space. He retired on August 27, 2003.
He contributed immensely in the education reforms in NEP. Kasturirangan was chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
He was a Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 and as a member of the then Planning Commission of India.
He was involved in developing INSAT-2, IRS-1A/1B, and scientific satellites.
He was honoured with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his contributions.
His research interests included high-energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy. He made significant contributions to studies on cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma rays, and their effects on Earth’s atmosphere.
Kasturirangan led a high-level working group (HLWG) to review the report prepared by Biotechnologist Madhav Gadgil who led the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru on Sunday April 27 between 10 am and noon for public homage.
Kasturirangan passes away
