Aluru Seelin Kiran Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1952-10-22)22 October 1952 (age 73) |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | Bangalore University,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore |
| Known for | chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Space research andElectro-optics |
| Institutions | Space Applications Centre |
A. S. Kiran Kumar | |
|---|---|
| 8thChairman of ISRO | |
| In office 14 January 2015 – 14 January 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Shailesh Nayak |
| Succeeded by | K. Sivan |
Aluru Seelin Kiran Kumar (born 22 October 1952) is an Indian space scientist, member of board of governors of theIndian Institute of Technology Jodhpur[1] and former chairman ofISRO, having assumed office on 14 January 2015.[2] He is credited with the development of key scientific instruments aboard theChandrayaan-1 andMangalyaan space crafts.[3][4][5][6] In 2014, he was awarded thePadma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology.[7] Kiran Kumar previously served as Director of theSpace Applications Centre inAhmedabad.[8]
Space Applications Centre lists Kiran Kumar's achievements as:[5]
- Development of III tier imaging for satellites such as IRS-1C and Resourcesat-1
- Development of Ocean Colour instruments for PFZ forecast
- Development of stereo imaging system forCartosat-1
- Development of sub-meter resolution optical imaging forCartosat-2
- Development of 2-channel and 3-channel VHRR meteorological payloads
- Development of third generation Imagers and sounders
- Development of Terrain Mapping Camera and Hyper Spectral Imager forChandrayaan-2
Kiran Kumar Aluru Seelin was born in a veerashaivaLingayat religion inHassan District in 1952,[9] in the Indian state ofKarnataka. He graduated in Physics (Honours). In 1971, from the National College ofBangalore University.[4][10] This was followed by a degree of MSc in Electronics from the same university, in 1973.[9] His further studies were at theIndian Institute of Science, Bangalore from where he passed MTech in Physical Engineering, in 1975.[5][11][12]
Kiran Kumar started his career, joiningSpace Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1975,[10] working onSpace borne Electro -optical imaging instruments.[9] He has remained at the institution ever since and has been the Director of the Electro-optical Systems Group since April 2012.[6][9][11] He also served as the chairman of ISRO from January 2015 to January 2018. He has represented the Indian Space Research Organisation at many international forums such as theWorld Meteorological Organisation and Indo-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation and holds the Chair of the ISRO at theCommittee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEO).[5][13]
Kiran Kumar's legacy spans across his contributions to the scientific world, specifically Indian space endeavours, and his efforts towards the dissemination of knowledge by way of articles and lectures.
Kiran Kumar is known to have made contributions to the Indian space programmes, from the early projects like Bhaskara TV payload till the later programmes such asChandrayaan-1 andMangalyaan.[3][5][6] Kumar is credited with the design and development of the electro-optical image sensors[6] used in India's firstremote sensing satellite, Bhaskara, launched in 1979[10] and the subsequent one in 1981,[3] as well as the ocean colour instruments used in weather forecasting, sea zone/landscape mapping and telecommunications.[3][5][6][9]
He is also reported to have contributed to the design and development of the imaging instruments for projects such asINSAT–3D,Resourcesat,Micro Satellite andCartosat.[10][13] The Terrain Mapping Camera and Hyperspectral Imager payloads ofChandrayaan-1 project is also credited to the efforts of Kiran Kumar.[5][6][10] It was the group led by Kumar which developed three of the five scientific instruments.
Kumar has attended many seminars and conferences where he has delivered lectures and keynote addresses.[11] He has also published several articles[14][15][16] in peer reviewed international journals,ResearchGate has listed 41 of his articles.[17]
The level of precision that is required for such a mission demanded extremely sensitive accelerometers — far superior in quality over the ones we've used in earlier space missions, says Dr. Kiran Kumar aboutIndia's Mars Mission[18]
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Kiran Kumar has received many awards and honours, starting with the Indian Society of Remote Sensing Award in 1994.[5][9][10][13] Four years later, in 1998, he received the Vasvik award,[5][9][10][13] followed by the Astronautical Society of India Award in 2001.[5][9][10][13] TheIndian Space Research Organisation honoured Kumar with the Individual Service award in 2006[5][13] and the Bhaskara Award of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing came his way in 2007.[5][10][13][19] The next year, 2008, saw Kumar getting the Team Achievement Award 2008 ofInternational Academy of Astronautics[13] and the ISRO Performance Award from theIndian Space Research Organisation.[5][10]Kiran Kumar has been conferred with the fellowship by the National Academy of Engineers, Honorary Life Member of Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME), Ahmedabad and is a corresponding member of theInternational Academy of Astronautics.[5][10] TheGovernment of India honoured Kiran Kumar Alur Seelin with thePadma Shri by including him in the 2014Republic Day Honours.[7] Kiran Kumar was awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree fromGITAM University on 24 March 2015.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation 2015–2018 | Succeeded by |
