It was under Rao that Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, was built and launched Rao put India in the big league of space

The only Indian space scientist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by two global entities-the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Society of Satellite Professionals International; this extraordinary honor sums up best the unparalleled contribution of Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao, former chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), who played a pivotal role in transforming the space agency into a global major, before his demise in Bengaluru on Monday.

Prof. Rao, 85, was handpicked by his mentor the late Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian space endeavour, to shape the satellite technology programme in 1971, not only piloted the design, fabrication and manufacture of more than 20 satellites beginning with the country’s first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975 but also promoted the application of space technology for broadcasting, meteorology, disaster warning, remote sensing and education.

Some of his pioneering efforts in application of space technology helped usher in the concept of integrated management of natural resources for sustainable development. While he accelerated development of rocket technology simultaneously, the physicist in him made sure that he left an imprint even on recent missions to Moon (Chandrayaan-I) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission) by picking instruments best-suited for indigenous studies.

In short, he steered Isro through its long journey from a bullock cart testride for APPLE satellite in 1981 to Mars a couple of years ago. His last and latest recommendation as chairman of advisory committee for spacescience was an outing to Venus, the brightest and hottest planet of the solar system, to understand the evolution of the world.

Globally he was acknowledged for his expertise and co-authored papers with the likes of the late Sir Arthur Clarke and served in various capacities as chairman of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), chairman of UNISPACEIII conference and chairman of the 30th international Antarctic treaty consultative committee meeting in New Delhi in 2007.

He also had a role in design and development of instruments for Nasa’s Pioneer and Explorer satellites during his stint in MIT where he collaborated with a team from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena.