Isro names full-time CMD for Antrix

Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) today named Dr VS Hegde, a veteran remote sensing applications scientist, as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director for its marketing arm Antrix Corporation.

Hegde has served Bangalore-headquartered Isro as its Scientific Secretary since January 2010, and previously played a key role for several years in its earth observation satellite (EOS) programmes.

His appointment, announced by Isro Chairman K Radhakrishnan, is part of plans to restructure Antrix in changing times so that it can aggressively exploit commercial opportunities emanating out of the space agency's programmes.

Interface between Isro and Antrix would now be strengthened with the constitution of a coordination management committee comprising a few senior directors of Isro and CMD of Antrix.

"This will ensure right kind of sharing of resources, right kind of allocation of resources, experts and priorities for Antrix," Radhakrishnan said at a press conference here.

Antrix, established in 1992, is engaged in promotion and commercial exploitation of space products, technical consultancy services and transfer of technologies developed by the space agency.

A 'Miniratna', it provides space products and services to customers worldwide.