New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: The entire country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with ISRO Chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan and his team of scientists after Chandrayaan 2's moon mission lost its contact with lander Vikram just seconds before its touchdown on the lunar surface.
While he felt dejected after the space agency lost communication with the Vikram lander, PM Modi assured him and his team and raised their morale. But not many knew him before until Chandrayaan 2 came under the spotlight.
K Sivan is a 62-year-old scientist from Tamil Nadu who assumed the role of ISRO chief in January 2018. Earlier, he served as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and famous for his contribution in the development of cryogenic engines.
Also Read | ‘Have found lander Vikram, trying to establish contact with it’: ISRO Chief K Sivan
He was born to a farmer in Tarakkanvillai village in Kanyakumari district and studied in a local government school. As per reports, the ISRO chief is the first graduate in the family. He never went to any tutor or coaching classes.
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He completed his bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT, Madras and masters in aerospace in aerospace engineering from IISC, Bengaluru. Later in 2006, he completed his PhD from IIT Bombay. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Sathyabama University.
Besides this, Sivan is a fellow of National Academy of Engineering, Indian Systems Society for Science and Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, and Systems Society of India.
Sivan joined ISRO in 1982 and has been part of numerous projects like GSLV, GLSV MkIII including Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). His contributions were significant as he helped in designing, planning, integration and analysis of the above mission.
In his 37-year-long career so far, Sivan has received numerous awards for his contributions in the field of space research. He received Shri Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Research Award in 1999, ISRO Merit Award in 2007 and Dr. Biren Roy Space Science Award in 2011.
Sivan has overseen two key missions Chandrayaan 2 and GSLV Mk-III launch in his tenure as ISRO Chairman.