VK Saraswat received the prestigious Aryabhatta Award by the Astronautical Society of India from the hands of V Narayanasamy, MOS in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office during an award ceremony of the Astronautical Society of India held at ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Network Centre (ISTRAC), Byalalu, Bengaluru.
The award was conferred on him for his lifetime contributions to Missiles and Aerospace technologies and also in recognition of his pioneering contributions towards the growth of astronautics in the country.
Saraswat, currently the scientific adviser to Raksha Mantri, Secretary Deptt of Defence R&D and DG DRDO is a well-known missile scientist.
A champion of indigenisation, he has immensely contributed to the indigenous design and development of wide range of strategic and tactical missiles, as well as a unique twin layer ballistic missile defence (BMD) system in the country. Under his leadership, DRDO entered a new phase of delivery of broad spectrum of world class weapon systems, platforms and military equipment, and initiation of development of new futuristic technologies and systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Narayanasamy lauded the efforts of Saraswat. Avinash Chander, VP of the ASI and chief controller R&D (Missiles & Strategic Systems), DRDO, recalled the contributions of Saraswat in development of various missiles including those under IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)and making India self-reliant in the area of Ballistic Missile Defence.
Another DRDO scientist G Satheesh Reddy, Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI) received the prestigious ASI Rocketry and related Technologies Award (ASI Rocketry Award) on the occasion.