Koppillil Radhakrishnan

Koppillil Radhakrishnan hails from Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, Kerala. After his schooling at the National High School, Irinjalakuda, he did two-year Pre-degree studies (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) at Christ College, Irinjalakuda. He studied Electrical Engineering at the Government Engineering College, Thrissur and acquired BSc (Engg.) degree in First Class with Honours from Kerala University in 1970. He did post-graduate studies in management at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in 1974–76. He obtained doctorate from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, in 2000, for the thesis: 'Some Strategies for the Management of Indian Earth Observation System'.

Radhakrishnan married Padmini Kizhakke Valappil from Irinjalakuda in 1983. Padmini worked with State Bank of Travancore from 1980 to 2010.

Radhakrishnan joined ISRO in May 1971 at the Space Science & Technology Centre at Thiruvananthapuram (the present Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) as a design and development engineer of electro-mechanical devices. Later he worked on system planning and technology management for avionics systems of SLV-3, ASLV and PSLV.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxtwDQAAQBAJ|title=My Odyssey: Memoirs of the Man behind the Mangalyaan Mission|last=Radhakrishnan|first=K.|date=2016-11-23|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9789385990380|language=en}} During 1981–97, at the ISRO Headquarters, he oversaw the preparation and review of annual budgets of ISRO, formulation of decade profile and Five Year Plans for Indian Space programme and the related techno-economic analysis.

As Project Director, he set up a chain of regional remote sensing service centres (RRSSC) at Bangalore, Nagpur, Kharagpur, Jodhpur and Dehradun for capacity building in central and state government agencies.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} While he was the director, RRSSCs came to prominence in the national remote sensing application missions including the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) aimed at generation of spatial database of natural resources and action plans for sustainable development of land and water resources.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}}

Later, Radhakrishnan succeeded as the mission director of IMSD and moved to National Remote Sensing Agency in Hyderabad. IMSD was considered as largest remote sensing application experiment ever done in the world using a meticulous participatory approach.{{Cite web|url=http://www.crida.in/DRM2-Winter%20School/VVR.pdf|title=RS&GIS Applications in Planning and Conservation of Resources in Rainfed Watersheds}} As the director of National Remote Sensing Agency, he scripted India's modern multi-mission ground station for Earth Observation Satellites.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}}

While at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre as its director, he oversaw five successful launches of PSLV including development of its high-end version PSLV –XL that lofted Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 as well as formulation of Indian Human Spaceflight programme.

As India's space chief from November 2009 to December 2014, Radhakrishnan led ISRO to achieve 37 space missions including several historic feats including Mars Orbiter Mission; flying Indian Cryogenic Engine on GSLV; the first experimental flight of the GSLV Mk III;{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/indias-space-odyssey-isro-creates-history-in-2014/|title=India's space odyssey: ISRO creates history in 2014|date=2014-12-27|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-05}} a re-entry experiment of an uncrewed crew module; and new space capabilities through IRNSS (1A, 1B, 1C) for navigation; GSAT-7 for strategic communication; and RISAT-1 for microwave radar imaging.{{Cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro/isros-timeline-1960s-to-today|title=ISRO's Timeline from 1960s to Today - ISRO|publisher=Indian Space Research Organisation|access-date=2018-06-05|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082200/https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro/isros-timeline-1960s-to-today|url-status=dead}} ISRO completed two joint satellite missions (Megha Tropiques and SARAL) with the French National Space Agency{{Cite web|url=https://presse.cnes.fr/en/france-india-space-cooperation-four-more-years-emblematic-megha-tropiques-climate-space-mission|title=France-India space cooperation - Four more years for emblematic Megha-Tropiques climate space mission|website=presse.cnes.fr|date=7 October 2016|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}} and inked another agreement with NASA to jointly build an advanced Radar Imaging Satellite.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29439256|title=US and India sign space agreement|date=2014-10-01|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-06-05}} India's standing in the global space market was enhanced as PSLV launched 18 commercial satellites for 11 countries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.antrix.co.in/business/international-customer-satellites-launched|title=International Customer Satellites Launched|publisher=Antrix Corporation|access-date=2018-06-05}} Through an inclusive organisational process, Radhakrishnan charted out clear programmatic directions and nurtured younger generation of leaders for carrying forward the legacy of ISRO. Re-defining the Chandrayaan-2 mission with Indigenous lander and rover{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/k-radhakrishnan-interview-success-due-to-tireless-efforts-of-isro/story-Uz4BU6xpPeU8kHmTUamBlO.html|title=K Radhakrishnan interview: Success due to tireless efforts of Isro|date=2014-09-24|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-06-05}} and extending the application of space technologies and tools to all central ministries are highlights of his leadership regime at ISRO. He worked to enhance the partnership with the Indian space industry for the production of operational launchers and satellites.{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/isro-gives-farewell-to-its-man-of-steel-k-radhakrishnan-114123100705_1.html|title=Isro gives farewell to its 'Man of Steel' K Radhakrishnan|last=Narasimhan|first=T. E.|date=2014-12-31|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-06-05}}

During his leadership, ISRO received the 2014 Gandhi Peace Prize; the 2014 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development; the 2014 Knowledge Economy Network KEN Award; the 2014 CNN-IBN Indian of the Year-Lifetime Achievement Award; the 2014 Global Game Changer Award by the Marico Innovation Foundation; and the 2013 CNBC-18 India Business Leader Award-BRAND INDIA.

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM; aka Mangalyaan) was conceived, planned and executed, within four years (2010–2014), establishing India as the first country to have successful mission to Mars in its maiden attempt,{{Cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140924/technology-science-and-trends/article/india%E2%80%99s-low-cost-mars-mission-successful-first-attempt |title=India becomes first country in world to place spacecraft in Mars' orbit in first attempt |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=2014-09-24 |access-date=2018-06-05 |language=en}} and at significantly low cost (INR 4.5 Billion) .{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29341850 |title=Why India's Mars mission is so cheap - and thrilling |work=BBC News |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=2014-09-24 |access-date=2018-06-05}}

GSLV had a checkered history in its initial flights of 2001-2007 and they were powered by cryogenic upper stage of Russia. After failure of the Indian Cryogenic upper stage on GSLV in April 2010 (GSLV-D3) and recurrence one more failure of GSLV with Russian Cryogeinc upper stage (GSLV-F06) in December 2010, Radhakrishnan steered ISRO towards the landmark success in January 2014 GSLV-D5. This marked the beginning of the successful series of GSLV with Indian Cryogenic Upper Stage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gslv-rocket-billed-naughty-boy-by-scientists-is-now-adorable-1456610|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211150611/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gslv-rocket-billed-naughty-boy-by-scientists-is-now-adorable-1456610|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-02-11|title=GSLV Rocket, Billed 'Naughty Boy' By Scientists, Is Now 'Adorable'|date=2018-02-11|access-date=2018-11-13}}

Radhakrishnan had a stint of five years the Ministry of Earth Sciences to set up, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster of December 2004, he emerged as the Project Director to set up the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre.

File:K. Radhakrishnan (1987) Enacting the role of King Daksha.jpg

File:-Radhakrishnan singing at Guruvayoor Chembai Sangetholsavam 2018.jpg

Radhakrishnan is a Carnatic music and Kathakali enthusiast and performer.{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/New+ISRO+chief+a+noted+Kathakali+dancer/1/67766.html|title=New ISRO chief a noted Kathakali dancer|last=Radhakrishnan|first=M. G.|date=25 October 2009|work=India Today}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article357301.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008115409/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article357301.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2014|title=ISRO chief sings a different note|date=2 September 2011|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2 September 2011}} Radhakrishnan was drawn into the world of performing arts from childhood. After formal training in Kerala Natanam, under Professor Thrippunithura Vijayabhanu, he had training in Kathakali dance under Guru Pallippuram Gopalan Nair, Kalanilayam Raghavan and Shri T.V.A Varier. Also, he was trained in Carnatic music by eminent musicians like Prof. Vechoor Harihara Subramania Iyer, Dr. R.K. Srikantan, Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana; currently he is student of Vidwan R.S. Ramakanth. Dr. Radhakrishnan has performed at Bengaluru Sangeethotsav, Sankranthi Music Festival of RK Srikantan Trust, Swaralaya, Bangalore Centre for Kathakali and Arts, JSS Sangeetha Sabha, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar Music Festival at Chennai. He has been singing at the Guruvayoor Chembai Sangeetholsavam every year since 2008.{{Cite news|url=https://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/scientist-as-an-artist/article6954702.ece|title=Scientist as an artist|work=Frontline|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/space-scientist-regales-connoisseurs-of-music/article7947774.ece|title=Space scientist regales connoisseurs of music|last=Kumar|first=R. Krishna|date=2015-12-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}

He has held several key positions in ISRO and was one of the key people behind India's Chandrayaan-1 Moon mission. He has held the following positions:

• Project Director, Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1987–1989)
• Director, Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres under the umbrella of National Natural Resources Management System (1989–1997)
• Director, Budget and Economic Analysis, Indian Space Research Organisation/Department of Space, Bangalore, India (1987–1997)
• National Mission Director, Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development and a deputy director of the National Remote Sensing Agency (1997–2000){{cite web |url=http://www.uohyd.ernet.in/academic/specialized_centres/UCESS/Radhakrishnan.html |title=Dr. K. Radhakrishnan |publisher=University of Hyderabad |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207073217/http://www.uohyd.ernet.in/academic/specialized_centres/UCESS/Radhakrishnan.html |archive-date=7 December 2009}}
• Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (2000–2005)
• Project Director, Indian Tsunami Warning System (2005)
• Vice Chairman - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO (2001–2005)
• Founding Chairman, Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (2001–2006)
• Regional Coordinator, Indian Ocean for the International Argo Project (2001–2005)
• Director, National Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Space (2005–2008){{cite press release |url=http://www.isro.gov.in/pressrelease/scripts/pressreleasein.aspx?Oct31_2009 |title=Dr K Radhakrishnan takes over as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO |publisher=Indian Space Research Organisation |date=31 October 2009 |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929182120/http://isro.gov.in/pressrelease/scripts/pressreleasein.aspx?Oct31_2009 |archive-date=29 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}
• President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2005–2007)
• Vice President, Indian Geophysical Union (2007–2009)
• Member of the Indian delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (2006–2009)
• Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, India (2007–2009)
• Member, Space Commission (2008–2009)
• Chairman, 'Working Group of the Whole' of S&T Sub-Committee of UN COPUOS (2008 & 2009)
• Chairman, Space Commission & Secretary, Department of Space
• Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, India (2009–2014)
• Chairman, Board of Antrix Corporation, Bangalore, India (November 2009-July 2011){{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/isros-commercial-arm-antrix-gets-new-chief/article20304497.ece1 |title=ISRO's commercial arm Antrix gets new chief |work=The Hindu BusinessLine |first=Madhumathi |last=D. S. |date=9 July 2011 |access-date=2018-06-05}}
• Chairman, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India (2009–2014){{Cite web |url=https://www.iist.ac.in/aboutus/institute |title=About Us |date=4 November 2014 |publisher=Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology}}
• Member, Planning Committee of National Natural Resources Management System (2009–2014)
• Chairman, NNRMS Standing Committee on Technology & Training (2009–2014)
• President, Astronautical Society of India (2010–2014)
• Member of CSIR Society and Member of CSIR Governing Council (2010–2013)
• Chairman, Research Council of National Aerospace Laboratory (2010–2013)
• Ex-officio Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to Prime Minister (2009–2014)
• Ex-officio Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet (2009–2014)
• Chairman, Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India (2014–2017){{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150103/jsp/calcutta/story_6544.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110000715/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150103/jsp/calcutta/story_6544.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 January 2015 |title=Board stamp on IIEST upgrade |work=The Telegraph |date=3 January 2015 |access-date=9 January 2015}}
• Adviser, Department of Space/Indian Space Research Organisation (2016 & 2017)
• Honorary Distinguished Adviser, Department of Space/Indian Space Research Organisation (March 2018 – present)
• Chairman, Board of Management, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (present){{Cite web|url=http://sliet.ac.in/administrators/|title = Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology | Administrators}}
• Chairperson, Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (February 2019 – present)
• Chairperson, Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (October 2020-September 2023){{Cite web |title=Board of Governors | Indian Institute of Technology Ropar |url=https://www.iitrpr.ac.in/board-governors |accessdate=24 October 2022 |website=www.iitrpr.ac.in}}
• Chairman, Standing Committee of the IIT Council (December 2019 – present)
• Member, Space Commission (February 2022 – present)
• Chairperson, Oversight Committee of DST on Science & Engineering Research Board SERB-DST (May 2022 – October 2024]{{cite web |title=The Oversight Committee: Science and Engineering Research Board, Established through an Act of Parliament: SERB Act 2008, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India |url=http://serb.gov.in/oversight-committee.php |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=serb.gov.in}}
• Chairman, Expert Committee of DST on 'Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (November 2022 – present)
• Chairman, Expert Committee of DST on 'Sophisticated Analytical Instruments Facilities (November 2023 – present))
• Chairman, High-powered Committee of Indian Knowledge Systems, Ministry of Education (October 2022 – present)
• Chairman, Committee for strengthening the Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions, Ministry of Education (November 2022 – November 2023) {{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/education/education-ministry-forms-panel-to-strengthen-assessment-accreditation-of-higher-educational-institutions/article66096210.ece |title=Education Ministry forms panel to strengthen assessment, accreditation of higher educational institutions |newspaper=The Hindu |date=4 November 2022 }}
• Chairman, High-Level Committee of Experts set up by the Union Ministry of Education (in June 2024) to ensure smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency.https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2027892

Chairman, Council of Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata (2024-2026)

• 2003: K.R. Ramanathan Memorial Gold Medal of Indian Geophysical Union
• 2005: VASVIK Industrial Research Award
• 2006: Silver Jubilee Honour by Ministry of Earth Sciences
• 2008: BHASKARA Award of Indian Society of Remote Sensing
• 2008: Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award of the A.P Academy of Sciences
• 2009: Social Sciences Award of the International Academy of Astronautics
• 2010: Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award of Indian Science Congress
• 2010: Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT, Kharagpur
• 2010: Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIM, Bangalore
• 2014: ISRO's Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2014: The Allan D. Emil Award of International Astronautical Federation
• 2014: Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2014: Technovation-Sarabhai Award of Indian Electronics & Semiconductor Association
• 2014: Radhakrishnan received the Padma Bhushan Award for contribution to Science and Engineering, especially in the field of Space Science and Technology.
• 2014: Named one of Nature{{'s}} ten "people who mattered" of 2014 on 18 December 2014, along with Radhika Nagpal, and others.{{cite journal |title=365 days: Nature's 10 |journal=Nature |first1=Elizabeth |last1=Gibney |first2=Heidi |last2=Ledford |first3=Corie |last3=Lok |first4=Erika Check |last4=Hayden |first5=Ron |last5=Cowen |first6=Erica |last6=Klarreich |first7=Sara |last7=Reardon |first8=T. V. |last8=Padma |first9=David |last9=Cyranoski |first10=Ewen |last10=Callaway |display-authors=1 |volume=516 |issue=7531 |pages=311–319 |date=18 December 2014 |doi=10.1038/516311a |pmid=25519114 |bibcode=2014Natur.516..311.|doi-access=free }}
• 2015: Lifetime Achievent Award of Union Bank of India
• 2015: Lifetime Outstanding Innovation Award Indore Management Association
• 2015: Bharat Asmita Vigyan Tantragyaan Shreshta
• 2015: P.C. Chandra Purashkar for Lifetime Achievement
• 2016: Asian Scientist 100, Asian Scientist
• 2016: Lifetime Achievement Award, Engineers' Forum, Nagpur
• 2017: Global Indian (Science) Award of Times Network
• 2018: Qimpro Platinum Standard 2018 (Business){{Cite web|url=https://www.qimpro.org/awards|title=Qimpro Foundation - Qimpro Awards|website=www.qimpro.org|language=en|access-date=2018-07-30}}

He has been conferred a doctorate by IIT Kharagpur and honorary doctorates by 12 Indian universities {{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|K. Radhakrishnan}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-gov}}

{{s-bef|before=G. Madhavan Nair}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation|years=2009 - 2014}}

{{s-aft|after=Shailesh Nayak}}

{{s-bef|before=B. N. Suresh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre|years=2007 - 2009}}

{{s-aft|after=P. S. Veeraraghavan}}

{{end}}

{{Indian space programme}}

{{Scientific Research in Kerala}}

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2010–19}}

{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Radhakrishnan, K.}}

Category:1949 births

Category:Living people

Category:Malayali people

Category:Scientists from Kerala

Category:Kathakali exponents

Category:People from Irinjalakuda

Category:Indian aerospace engineers

Category:Indian Space Research Organisation people

Category:IIT Kharagpur alumni

Category:Indian Institute of Management Bangalore alumni

Category:Government Engineering College, Thrissur alumni

Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in science & engineering

Category:Engineers from Kerala

Category:Dancers from Kerala

Category:Indian male dancers

Category:20th-century Indian engineers

Category:21st-century Indian engineers