Aluru Seelin Kiran Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1952-10-22)22 October 1952 (age 72) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| 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 the Indian Space Research Organisation | |
| 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 and former chairman of theIndian Space Research Organisation, having assumed office on 14 January 2015.[1] He is credited with the development of key scientific instruments aboard theChandrayaan-1 andMangalyaan space crafts.[2][3][4][5] In 2014, he was awarded thePadma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology.[6] Kiran Kumar previously served as Director of AhmedabadSpace Applications Centre.[7]
Space Applications Centre lists Kiran Kumar's achievements as:[4]
- 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 veerashaiva lingayat religion inHassan District in 1952,[8] in the Indian state ofKarnataka. He graduated in Physics (Honours). In 1971, from the National College ofBangalore University.[3][9] This was followed by a degree of MSc in Electronics from the same university, in 1973.[8] His further studies were at theIndian Institute of Science, Bangalore from where he passed MTech in Physical Engineering, in 1975.[4][10][11]
Kiran Kumar started his career, joiningSpace Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1975,[9] working onSpace borne Electro -optical imaging instruments.[8] He has remained at the institution ever since and is the Director of the Electro-optical Systems Group since April 2012.[5][8][10] He also served as the chairman of ISRO from January 2015 to January 2018. He has represented Indian Space Research Organization 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).[4][12]
Kiran Kumar's legacy spans across his contributions to the scientific world, specifically Indian space endeavors, 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.[2][4][5] Kumar is credited with the design and development of the electro-optical image sensors[5] used in India's firstremote sensing satellite, Bhaskara, launched in 1979[9] and the subsequent one in 1981,[2] as well as the ocean colour instruments used in weather forecasting, sea zone/landscape mapping and telecommunications.[2][4][5][8]
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.[9][12] The Terrain Mapping Camera and Hyperspectral Imager payloads ofChandrayaan-1 project is also credited to the efforts of Kiran Kumar.[4][5][9] 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.[10] He has also published several articles[13][14][15] in peer reviewed international journals,ResearchGate has listed 41 of his articles.[16]
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[17]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation 2015–2018 | Succeeded by |
