Udupi Ramachandra Rao Age, Wiki and Bio

Udupi Ramachandra Rao

Quick Info

ProfessionIndian space scientist
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth10/03/1932
Age85 years (died on 24, Jul, 2017)
BirthplaceAdamaru, Udupi, Karnataka
Date of Death24/07/2017

Bio/Wiki

Other NameU. R. Rao
Nickname(s)
  • Rao Bhava
  • Ramudu
Names Earned
  • The Satellite Man of India

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorSemi-bald

Educational Qualification(s)

School
  • Christian High School, Udupi
  • Veerashaiva College, Karnataka
College/University
  • University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (1952)
  • Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (1954)
  • Gujarat University, Gujarat (1960)
Degree(s)
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Master of Science
  • Doctor of Philosophy

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
CasteBrahmin
Zodiac signPisces
HometownAdamaru, Udupi, Karnataka
Date of Death24/07/2017
Place of DeathIndiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Death CauseProlonged illness and age-related health issues

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Family
Wife/SpouseYashoda Rao (scientist)
Children
SonMadan Rao (faculty at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru)
DaughterMala (architect)
Parents
FatherLakshminarayana Acharya (worked in a hotel)
MotherKrishnaveni Amma
Siblings
Brother
  • U. Krishnamorthy Rao
  • Marapalli Govinda Rao (economist)

Career

Positions held
  • Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru
  • Chancellor of the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram
  • General President of the Indian Science Congress Association, West Bengal (1995)
  • Vice President of International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Paris (1984-1992)
  • Co-Chairman of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa (2012)
  • First chairman of Prasar Bharati, New Delhi (2002)
  • Chairman of Karnataka Science and Technology Academy
  • Chairman of Bangalore Association of Science Education-JNP
  • Chancellor of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
  • Member of Central Board of Directors, Reserve Bank of India
  • Additional Director of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd., Bangalore
  • Chairman of Governing Council of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
Awards, Honours, Achievements
  • Padma Bhushan (1976)
  • Padma Vibhushan (2017)
  • Life Time Achievement Award by ISRO and Astronautical Society of India by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2007)
  • Satellite Hall of Fame (2013)
  • Electronics Man of the Year Award by ELCINA (1994)
  • Aryabhata Award (1995)
  • Jawaharhal Nehru Award (1995)
  • Press Bureau of India Award (2003)
  • Group Achievement Award by NASA, USA (1973)
  • Frank J Malina Award (1994)
  • Eduard Dolezal Award of ISPRS (2000)
  • Theodore Von Karman Award (2005)
  • Space News Magazine rank among the top 10 international personalities for making a difference in civil, commerce and military space in the world since 1989 (2004)

Some Lesser Known Facts

Udupi Ramachandra Rao served as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization from 1984 to 1994.
Rao's fascination with science began in his childhood.
In 1972, he initiated the use of satellite technology in India for developmental purposes.
He played a vital role in the development of more than 18 satellites, including Bhaskara 1 and 2, APPLE, Rohini, INSAT-1, and INSAT-2.
Rao authored numerous books on space and technology.
He published over 350 scientific and technical papers covering various subjects.
Before his passing, Rao maintained the practice of regularly visiting his office at ISRO headquarters.