71st birth anniversary of Dr. S K Shivakumar

Yesterday (17th March) it was the 71st  birth anniversary of the esteemed Former Chairman of KSTA and Padmashri Awardee Dr. S.K. Shivakumar. He was a visionary leader, who served as the Director of U.R. Rao Satellite Center (URSC) from July 2012 to March 2015. He led a team of over 2500 engineers and scientists in the design, development and realization of state-of-the-art satellite missions, including the Mars Orbiter Mission, which marked India's first interplanetary mission and the navigation satellite program. 

Prior to his tenure at URSC, Dr. Shivakumar served as the Associate Director of the center from November 2010 to June 2012. From September 1998 to November 2010, he held the position of Director at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), where he oversaw the maintenance of a large constellation of Indian satellites in orbit and provided support to satellite launch vehicle missions through a worldwide network of ground stations.

Dr. Shivakumar also served as the Project Director for realizing the 32m antenna of the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu, near Bengaluru. This antenna played a crucial role in tracking the Mars Orbiter Mission and communicating with Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the Moon. He was fondly called the father of the Indian Deep Space Network.

Known for his profound kindness and unwavering humility, Dr. Shivakumar was deeply admired with respect and love by all officers and employees of KSTA. Under his visionary leadership, KSTA initiated organizing Science and Technology conferences in Kannada and began honoring senior science communicators in Kannada with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Among other initiatives, the publication of an English–Kannada dictionary was compiled for the benefit of Kannada medium students joining Pre-university, and innovation awards for young innovators were also began under his guidance. KSTA blossomed well under his visionary guidance with state wide science educational and promotional activities for nearly one and a half years.









Dr. Shivakumar received numerous awards and accolades for his significant contributions to the field of space science and technology. Some of these prestigious awards include the ISRO Merit Award for his outstanding contributions in Ground Systems establishment, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the 2008 National Aeronautical Prize, an Honorary Doctorate (D.Sc) from the University of Mysore, the 'NADOJA' Award by Kannada Vishvavidyalaya, Hampi in 2013, the KSTA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Padmashri by the Government of India in 2015.

KSTA truly misses Padma Shri Dr S K Shivakumar Sir’s exceptional and forward-thinking leadership, as well as his warm and approachable demeanor that always came with a friendly smile.

On behalf of KSTA, I offer my heartfelt tribute to this remarkable gentleman scientist on his birth anniversary.

 

Dr A. M. Ramesh

CEO-KSTA


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