Dr K Radhakrishnan made ISRO chief

Avionic expert Dr K Radhakrishnan, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) here, has been appointed as Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC sources said.

Avionic expert Dr K Radhakrishnan, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, has been appointed as Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC sources said.

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A senior scientist who played a key role in several Indian space missions, Radhakrishnan succeeds Dr G Madhavan Nair who is retiring this month-end.

"I am extremely glad. It is a very huge responsibility that has been given to me. A lot of hopes and expectations are there about Indian space programmes. My mission now is to lead team ISRO to achieve the objectives", Radhakrishnan told PTI.

He said space applications, satellites and launch vehicles were "programmes of thrust". Another imporant mission is the human space flight programme, he said.

Graduating in engineering from Kerala University in 1970, Radhakrishnan is also an MBA from IIM, Bangalore, and took his doctorate from IIT Kharagpur.

He started his career in ISRO in early 1971 as an avionic engineer in VSSC and held key positions in the organisation.

Radhakrishnan had served as Director of Budget and Economic Analysis and Director of Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres. He was also with the Department of Ocean Development and served as project director of early warning system of tsunami and storm surges.