G. Madhavan Nair

Infobox Scientist
name = G Madhavan Nair

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caption = G Madhavan Nair
birth_date = birth date|1943|10|31|df=y
birth_place = Thiruvanathapuram, India
death_date =
death_place =
residence =
nationality = n
field = Rocket Technology
work_institution = Indian Space Research Organisation
Bhabha Atomic Research Center
alma_mater = B.Sc (Engineering), (1966), Kerala University with specialization in Electrical & Communication.
doctoral_advisor =
doctoral_students =
known_for = Indian Space Program
prizes = Padma Bhushan (1998)
religion =
footnotes =

G. Madhavan Nair (Malayalam: ജി. മാധവന്‍ നായര്‍) is the present Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary to Department of Space, Government of India since September 2003. He is also the Chairman, Space Commission and acts as the Chairman of Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation, Bangalore.

Early life

Nair was born at Neyyattinkara near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He graduated with a B.Sc in Engineering (1966) from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala University with specialization in Electrical & Communication. After his graduation Nair attended a training at prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) Training School, Mumbai.

Career

Nair is a leading technologist in the field of rocket systems and has made significant contribution to the development of multi-stage satellite launch vehicles, achieving self-reliance in independent access to space using indigenous technologies. Nair and his team have worked relentlessly in the face of several challenges in the regime of technology denials by adopting several innovations and novel techniques to realise world class launch vehicle systems. India today has a pride of place amongst the space-faring nations in launch vehicle technology. Specifically, as Project Director, he led the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which has since become the workhorse for launching mainly Indian remote sensing satellites.

As Director of ISRO’s largest R & D Centre, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, he also saw India’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) successfully coming to fruition. Further, as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO, he played a central role in the design and development of the crucial cryogenic engine for GSLV. List of Positions held before is listed below:

As Chairman of ISRO

Nair is as the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization entrusted with the responsibility of development of space technology and its applications for National development. During his tenure as Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, DOS, twenty successful missions were accomplished i.e., INSAT-3E, Resourcesat-1, Edusat, Cartosat-1, Hamsat-1, INSAT-4A, PSLV-C5, GSLV-F01, PSLV-C6, Cartosat-2, INSAT-4B, SRE-1, PSLV-C7,PSLV-C8, GSLV-F04, INSAT-4CR,PSLV-C10, Cartosat-2A, IMS-1 and PSLV-C9. He has taken initiatives towards development of futuristic technologies to enhance the space systems capabilities as well as to reduce the cost of access to space. Nair has given major thrust for evolving application programmes such as tele-education and telemedicine for meeting the needs of society at large. As Chairman Space Commission Nair is responsible for chalking out the future plan for space research in the country. Major thrust are in scientific exploration of outer space using the Astrosat and Chandrayaan (moon) missions apart from implementing schemes for telemedicine, tele-education and disaster management support systems. He is also providing guidance and leadership in undertaking new technology developments related to launch vehicle, spacecrafts for communication, remote sensing and applications programmes to meet societal needs.

In the international arena, Nair has led the Indian delegations for bilateral cooperation and negotiations with many Space Agencies and Countries, specially with France, Russia, Brazil, Israel, etc., and has been instrumental in working out mutually beneficial international cooperative agreements. Nair has led the Indian delegation to the S&T Sub-Committee of United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) since 1998.

His main focus has always been to achieve self-reliance in the high technology areas and to bring the benefits of space technology to the national development, specially targeting the needs of the rural and poor sections of the society.

Additional Responsibilities

Apart from being the Chairman, ISRO and Chairman, Space Commission, Nair is active in his contribution towards promotion of the space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country, he is also the Chairman of Governing Body of the National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad and the Antrix Corporation, Bangalore.

Taking into account his vast experience he had held many positions out of ISRO. The notable ones include the president of Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in 2004, the president of Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) in 2005 and currently the Vice-President of Scientific Activities Committee of IAA, the position which he is holding from 2006.

Awards

Nair has won several awards such as National Aeronautical Award, FIE foundation’s Award, Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award, Swadeshi Sastra Puraskar Award, Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Gold Medal of the Indian Science Congress Association, Dr.Yelavarthy Nayudamma Memorial Award-2004, HK Firodia Award-2005, Fifth “Shri Balvantbhai Parekh Award”, Lokmanya Tilak Award from Tilak Smarak Trust, “Sree Chithira Thirunal Award” from Sree Chithira Thirunal Trust. He has also received Gold Medal from the Prime Minister at the 94th Indian Science Congress at Chidambaram in 2007. He received M M Chugani award for 2006, conferred by Indian Physics Association at IIT Mumbai during March 2008. He was also conferred with "Raja Rammohan Puraskar" award on the 236th birth anniversary of Raja Rammohan Roy at Kolkata during May 2008.

The government of India conferred highly coveted award "Padma Bhushan" to Mr. Madhavan Nair in 1998 in recognition of his services to the Country and Society.

Honours

*D.Philosophy (Honoris Causa) conferred by Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar (2003).
*D.Sc (Honoris Causa) conferred by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati (2004).
*Honoris Causa Doctor of Science conferred by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (2004)
*Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Science Award by Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (2005)
*D.Sc from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi (2005)
*D.Sc from Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (2005).
*D.Sc from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi (2006)
*Honoris Causa from University of Mysore ( 2006)
*Honoris Causa from GJ University, Hissar (2006)
*Honoria Causa Degree of D.Sc conferred at the 4th Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal (2007).
*Honorary Degree of D.Sc of the University of Kerala, Kerala (2007).
*Honorary Doctorate in Science conferred by SRM University Chennai (2008)

Fellowships/Memberships

*Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering.
*Fellow, Astronautical Society of India.
*Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India.
*Honorary Fellow, Indian Society for Non-Destruction Testing (ISNT).
*Member, System Society of India.
*Member, Working Committee of the Current Science Association 2004-06.
*Member, International Academy of Astronautics (2004).
*Senior Associate, National Institute of Advanced Studies (2004-2007).
*President, Intersputnik Board (2005)
*Honorary Fellow of The Aeronautical Society of India (2007).
*Chairman, Research Council of National Aerospace Laboratories (April 2007 to March 2010).

References

* [http://www.isro.org/mnair/biodata_mnair.htm ISRO Chairman biography-ISRO Website]
* [http://www.isro.org/mnair/index.htm About the current Chairman-ISRO Website]