Bengaluru: Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao, former Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chief and eminent scientist, died in the early hours of Monday in Bengaluru. The space scientist accelerated the development of rocket technology which led to the successful launch of Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Rao is said to have initiated the Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and development of cryogenic engine in 1991, which has in the recent past put Indian space on par with global superpowers. He also became the first Indian space scientist to be inducted into the “Satellite Hall of fame” at Washington DC, US, in 2013. He was also the first Indian space scientist to be inducted into the “IAF Hall of Fame” at Guadalajara, Mexico.

Source: Mint July 24, 2017 03:03 UTC