U. R. Rao
Space scientist who built India’s first satellite
- Lived
- 85 yrs
- 1932 – 2017
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2017
- Profile views
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U. R. Rao was a space scientist who led the team that built Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, launched in 1975. As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994 he oversaw the development of the PSLV rocket. He was the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame. He died in 2017.
Biography
Cosmic rays
Rao studied in Madras and Banaras and earned his PhD under Vikram Sarabhai at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. He then worked in the United States, including at MIT, on instruments for NASA’s Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft.
Aryabhata
Returning to India in 1966, he was given charge of building India’s first satellite. Working from sheds in Bangalore with a small team, he led the creation of Aryabhata, launched by a Soviet rocket in April 1975. He went on to lead later satellites including Bhaskara and the APPLE communications satellite.
Chairman of ISRO
As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994, Rao oversaw the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which flew successfully in 1994, and the start of the GSLV and cryogenic engine programmes, as well as expansion of the INSAT and IRS satellite systems.
Honours
He received the Padma Bhushan in 1976 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017, and in 2013 became the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame in Washington. He died in Bengaluru on 24 July 2017.
Timeline
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1932
Born in Adamaru, Udupi district, Madras Presidency (now Karnataka)
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1966
Returns to India
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1975
Aryabhata launched
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1976
Padma Bhushan
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1984
Chairman of ISRO
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1994
First successful PSLV flight
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2013
Satellite Hall of Fame
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2017
Padma Vibhushan; dies in Bengaluru
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2017
Died, aged 85
Awards and honours
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Padma Bhushan
1976
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Satellite Hall of Fame
2013
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Padma Vibhushan
2017
Did you know?
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1
India’s first satellite was built in sheds in Bangalore.
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2
He worked on NASA spacecraft instruments.
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3
He was the first Indian in the Satellite Hall of Fame.
Connections
Related people
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Vikram Sarabhai
Science · Physicist and father of India’s space programme
PhD supervisor
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Satish Dhawan
Science · Aerospace engineer who led ISRO after Vikram Sarabhai
ISRO chairman during Aryabhata
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K. Kasturirangan
Science · Space scientist who chaired ISRO and the National Education Policy committee
Successor as ISRO chairman
Frequently asked
Who is U. R. Rao?
U. R. Rao was a space scientist who led the team that built Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, launched in 1975. As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994 he oversaw the development of the PSLV rocket. He was the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame. He died in 2017.
When did U. R. Rao die?
U. R. Rao died on 24 July 2017 at the age of 85.
Where is U. R. Rao from?
U. R. Rao was born in Adamaru, Udupi district, Madras Presidency (now Karnataka).
What is U. R. Rao known for?
U. R. Rao is best known for Leading the Aryabhata satellite; chairing ISRO from 1984 to 1994; developing the PSLV.
What awards has U. R. Rao received?
Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (1976), Satellite Hall of Fame (2013), Padma Vibhushan (2017).
References
- U. R. Rao — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- U. R. Rao — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- U. R. Rao (Q7877236) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “U. R. Rao”, 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
“U. R. Rao.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/u-r-rao
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