With the passing away of eminent space scientist UR Rao in Bengaluru on Monday morning a star has merged into a galaxy. Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao a space scientist par excellence has played an anchor role in Indian space odyssey. Rao, 85, breathed his last early on Monday morning at his Bengaluru residence. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. Rao was the brains behind for the launch of India’s first satellite Aryabhata and he was actively involved till today with the Indian space programme.
“Rao breathed his last during the early hours, around 3 am today,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Public Relations Director Deviprasad Karnik told the media.
The celebrated space scientist was the fourth Chairman of ISRO during its critical formative years between 1984 and 1994.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Saddened by demise of renowned scientist, Professor UR Rao. His remarkable contribution to India’s space programme will never be forgotten.”
UR Rao played an anchor role in spearheading India’s satellite building capability, and the strides that the country is making today in the space field, said former ISRO Chairman, K Kasturirangan.
For veteran Space Scientist Prof UR Rao, the happiest moment in his life was successful launch of Aryabhata, the first Indian satellite that was built in a makeshift shed by ISRO. Prof Rao, who was fond of interacting with students, during an interaction programme at Poornaprajna College in his home town Udupi in 2015, said, “Creating the satellite Aryabhata in the sheds of the ISRO facility Peenya industrial area and later its successful launch in USSR was one of his happiest moments in my life.”
“We were all excited about it. If you are not excited about anything, you will not achieve anything great,” he had said.
Former ISRO Chairman Prof Rao was born in Admaru village in Udupi district and had his early education at the Christian High School in the temple town of Udupi. later the family moved on to Ballari, where he did his inter-junior course. He later continued his education at Ananthapur in Andhra Pradesh and other places.
It was under Raos leadership that Rohini and Aryabhata spacecraft were developed by Indian Space Research Organisation, whose then Chairman Vikram Sarabhai persuaded him to come back from the US and take responsibility of budding activities in space, particularly satellite. As ISRO Chairman, Rao virtually oversaw the development of Polar Satellite launch Vehicle, and then gave shape to GSlV-Mark I and Mark II programme.
Rao also gave a major thrust in remote sensing satellite applications area, including disaster management, communication and broadcasting, tele-education and tele-medicine and natural resources, Kasturirangan said.
After he took charge as Chairman of the Space Commission and Secretary, Department of Space in 1984, the rocket technology development got a boost, leading to the successful launch of ASlV rocket and the operational PSlV launch vehicle, his profile on the space agency’s website reads.
He kicked-off the Geo Stationary launch Vehicle (GSlV) and the cryogenic technology projects in 1991. It was during his tenure that India was denied the Russian cryogenic technology for the GSlV’s upper third stage.
He has published over 350 scientific and technical papers covering cosmic rays, interplanetary physics, high-energy astronomy, space applications, satellite and rocket technology, and also authored many books.
He has been awarded honorary Doctor of Science degrees by over 25 foreign universities. He had been teaching at MIT and the University of Texas before he came back to India in 1966.
Rao was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1976 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017 for his contribution to Indian space technology.
UR Rao was also the first Indian to be inducted into the prestigious Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa and host of other have condoled the death of Professor UR Rao.