S. Ramakrishnan, a well-known rocket scientist has been chosen to head the liquid propulsion systems centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation in Thiruvananthapuram. He has replaced the outgoing director MKG Nair on May 31.
Ramakrishnan was working as the director of projects at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram, said the space agency on Wednesday. He is a major contributor to the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) and its liquid propulsion stages.
ISRO said in a statement, ‘Under Ramakrishnan’s leadership as project director, the PSLV continuation programme, their operationalization and enhancing of payload capability to 1,500 kg from 900 kg were accomplished.’
He has also contributed to ISRO’s geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV Mark-III) at the time of its designing, engineering and realization of its hardware for tests.
An alumnus of IIT Chennai, Ramakrishnan has also worked on the Indian Human Spaceflight Project (HSP) and completion of system concept reviews, indicated the statement by the agency.
Ramakrishnan has received Padmashree in 2003, ISRO Performance Excellence Award during 2006, Astronautical Society of India Award for contributions to Rockets and Related Technologies development and Dr Biren Roy award from Aeronautical Society of India for his contributions to the space programme.
