M Annadurai takes over as director of ISRO Satellite Centre

He takes over from S K Shivakumar who superannuated on March 31, 2015

M Annadurai, Outstanding Scientist and Programme Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore, has assumed the office of Director, ISAC on April 1, 2015.

He took over as Director, ISAC from S K Shivakumar, who superannuated on March 31, 2015.

Annadurai graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, obtained his Post Graduate degree in Applied Electronics from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore and Doctoral degree from Anna University, Coimbatore.

He joined ISRO in 1982 and began his career at ISAC as the team leader to design and develop Software Satellite Simulator.

During the period 1992 -2005, Annadurai was the lead member of ISRO's satellite mission team and managed eight INSAT Missions as the Mission Director and brought about the efficient ground automation for satellite operations.

As Project Director, Annadurai made the most crucial contribution to the realisation of India's first Lunar Mission, Chandrayaan-1, which won many appreciations and awards including the prestigious Space Pioneer Award, 2009.

In 2011, Dr Annadurai became the Programme Director of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) and realised five satellite projects. His other major contribution is the realisation of the successful Mars Orbiter Mission in record time and he also supervised two student satellite projects.

He is also the Chairman of Indian Remote Sensing Society (ISRS), Bangalore Chapter. Annadurai has 75 papers to his credit and is the supervisory guide for four PhD works. He has authored three books.