Udupi Ramachandra Rao, hailed as the father of the Indian satellite programme that started with Aryabhata, is dead. Dr. Rao, 85, passed away at his Indiranagar home here around 3 a.m. on Monday. He was suffering from age-related health issues, ISRO’s Director for Publications & Public Relations, Deviprasad Karnik, said.
Dr, Rao, who was decorated with the Padma Vibhushan this year, was the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary, Department of Space from 1984 to 1994.
He is the only Indian to be included in the Satellite Hall of Fame of the Society of Satellite Professionals International, Washington. The hall of fame has the likes of Arthur Clarke and Van Allen. Active almost until the last days, Dr. Rao had been to his office in the Antariksh Bhavan earlier this month, ISRO officials said.
Born in Adamaru, near Udupi on March 10, 1932, Dr. Rao leaves behind his wife, Yashoda, son Madan Rao, faculty at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, and architect-daughter Mala.
