K. Kasturirangan
Space scientist who chaired ISRO and the National Education Policy committee
- Lived
- 84 yrs
- 1940 – 2025
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2000
- Profile views
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K. Kasturirangan was a space scientist who chaired ISRO from 1994 to 2003, overseeing the PSLV’s success and the first GSLV launch. He later served in the Rajya Sabha and the Planning Commission and chaired the committee that drafted India’s National Education Policy 2020. He died in 2025.
Biography
Astrophysicist
Kasturirangan studied physics in Bombay and earned a PhD in experimental high-energy astronomy at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, researching X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy.
Satellites
At ISRO he was project director of India’s first experimental Earth observation satellites, Bhaskara I and II, and of the first operational remote-sensing satellite, IRS-1A. He later directed the ISRO Satellite Centre.
Chairman
As ISRO chairman from 1994 to 2003 he oversaw the PSLV becoming a reliable workhorse, the first flight of the GSLV in 2001, new INSAT and IRS satellites, and early planning for Chandrayaan-1, India’s first Moon mission.
Public service
He served in the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 and on the Planning Commission, led the 2013 working group on the Western Ghats and chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2000 and died in Bengaluru on 25 April 2025.
Timeline
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1940
Born in Ernakulam, Kingdom of Cochin (now Kerala)
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1979
Bhaskara I launched
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1988
IRS-1A launched
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1994
Chairman of ISRO
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2000
Padma Vibhushan
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2001
First GSLV flight
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2003
Enters the Rajya Sabha
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2020
National Education Policy adopted
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2025
Dies in Bengaluru
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2025
Died, aged 84
Awards and honours
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Padma Shri
1982
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Padma Bhushan
1992
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Padma Vibhushan
2000
Did you know?
-
1
He was an X-ray astronomer before leading satellite projects.
-
2
He chaired the committee behind the National Education Policy 2020.
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3
He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is K. Kasturirangan?
K. Kasturirangan was a space scientist who chaired ISRO from 1994 to 2003, overseeing the PSLV’s success and the first GSLV launch. He later served in the Rajya Sabha and the Planning Commission and chaired the committee that drafted India’s National Education Policy 2020. He died in 2025.
When did K. Kasturirangan die?
K. Kasturirangan died on 25 April 2025 at the age of 84.
Where is K. Kasturirangan from?
K. Kasturirangan was born in Ernakulam, Kingdom of Cochin (now Kerala).
What is K. Kasturirangan known for?
K. Kasturirangan is best known for Chairing ISRO from 1994 to 2003; PSLV and GSLV; drafting the National Education Policy 2020.
What awards has K. Kasturirangan received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992), Padma Vibhushan (2000).
References
- K. Kasturirangan — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- K. Kasturirangan — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- K. Kasturirangan (Q735363) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “K. Kasturirangan”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
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About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“K. Kasturirangan.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/k-kasturirangan
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