Prof. U R Rao an extraordinary visionary: K Kasturirangan

Prof. U R Rao played an anchor role in spearheading India's satellite building capability, and the strides that the country is making today in the space field are thanks largely to his dynamic and visionary leadership, says former ISRO Chairman, K Kasturirangan.
He recalled that it was under Rao's leadership that Rohini and Aryabhata spacecraft were developed by Indian Space Research Organisation, whose then Chairman Vikram Sarabhai persuaded him to come back from the US and take responsibility of budding activities in space, particularly satellite.
"Prof. Rao played an anchor role in developing India's satellite capability", Kasturirangan, who had succeeded him as ISRO Chairman, told PTI.

For building Aryabhata in the 1970s, Rao had to develop human resources right from the scratch and technologies that ISRO was not familiar with during the times when industrial base was also poor.
"Against all these odds, he led a team, built the satellite (Aryabhata) in 36 months, a record", Kasturirangan said of Rao, who died at his Bengaluru residence today due to age-related ailments.
"Then onwards, he headed space activities in ISRO, whether it's 'Bhaskara' (satellite) or IRS (Indian Remote Sensing)...Things of that kind. Also, he headed ISRO Satellite Centre...All these were products of his vision to build satellite capability of the country on a scale which is what is being felt today", he said.

As ISRO Chairman, Rao virtually oversaw the development of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), and then gave shape to GSLV-Mark I (Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle) and Mark II programme.

Rao, who was internationally well-recognised, also gave a major thrust in remote sensing satellite applications area, including disaster management, communication and broadcasting, tele-education and tele-medicine and natural resources, Kasturirangan said.
Noting that Rao was Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory, the cradle of India's space programme, Kasturirangan said the former continued to be very active till the end, terming him very dynamic and extraordinary visionary.
"I should say I was most privileged to work with him and my own career got real boost and the present status that I enjoy in the country, whatever it is, I think, I owe much to him", added Kasturirangan.