A Celestial Farewell: Remembering K. Kasturirangan, The Man Who Gave India Its Space Wings

It was Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan who planted the seeds of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission. While it was executed under later leadership, the blueprint bore his signature—a testament to his foresight.

India has lost one of its brightest stars in the sky of science and innovation. Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), passed away today at the age of 84, leaving behind a rich legacy of vision, discipline, and unmatched contributions to India’s aerospace journey. His passing is not just a loss to the scientific community but to the nation that he helped lift—literally—into space.

Dr. Kasturirangan was more than a scientist; he was a dreamer with a strategy. A man who combined curiosity with conviction. His leadership shaped India’s space programme during a time of global flux, and he steered ISRO with clarity and calm through its most transformative decade.

From PSLV to GSLV: A Launchpad to Self-Reliance

Taking over as ISRO Chairman in 1994, Dr. Kasturirangan ushered in a new era of launch vehicle capability. It was under his stewardship that the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) matured into a reliable workhorse, placing India firmly among global space powers. He also led the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which gave India the ability to place heavier satellites into orbit, reducing dependence on foreign launchers.

A Sky Full of Satellites: Earth, Weather, and Connectivity

Dr. Kasturirangan didn’t just aim for rockets—he aimed for results. Under his leadership, India launched some of its most advanced remote sensing satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D, which revolutionized agriculture, resource mapping, and disaster management. On the communication front, satellites like INSAT-2C and INSAT-3B enhanced India’s weather forecasting, telemedicine, and distance learning capabilities, extending the benefits of space to the remotest corners of the country.

Chandrayaan’s Unsung Architect

It was Dr. Kasturirangan who planted the seeds of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission. While it was executed under later leadership, the blueprint bore his signature—a testament to his foresight. He recognized early on that India’s scientific aspirations must extend beyond Earth, and that space exploration was both a scientific necessity and a symbol of national capability.

The Private Sector’s Silent Ally

A silent reformer, Dr. Kasturirangan paved the way for public-private collaboration in the space sector. Today’s boom of startups like Skyroot Aerospace and Pixxel owes a part of its origin to the groundwork laid during his tenure. He understood that ISRO alone could not carry the weight of India’s space ambitions and pushed for greater inclusion of industry in research and manufacturing.

From Space to Classrooms: Architect of New India’s Education Vision

After retiring from ISRO, Dr. Kasturirangan didn’t rest. He turned his attention to education—most notably as Chairman of the Committee that drafted India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. His vision of blending scientific temperament with foundational learning is now shaping millions of young Indian minds. He believed that space technology and education were twin engines of a strong nation—and he served both with equal passion.

Honours That Reflect a Life of Service

For his unmatched service to the nation, Dr. Kasturirangan was honoured with:

• Padma Shri (1982)
• Padma Bhushan (1992)
• Padma Vibhushan (2000)

These awards reflect not just his brilliance, but his deep humility and lifelong dedication to national development.

A Legacy That Touches Earth and Sky

Today, every time we track a cyclone with satellite data, every time students in a remote village attend an online class, every time a rocket leaves Indian soil, we are walking in Dr. Kasturirangan’s footsteps. His legacy lives on in the skies above us, in the technologies around us, and in the dreams of a billion Indians who look to the stars with pride and purpose.

In an age of noise and haste, he was a man of depth and direction. His vision still orbits above us. And his absence, like space itself, leaves a void that only memory and inspiration can fill.

Dr. Kasturirangan. You showed India the way to the stars.

(The author, Girish Linganna, is an award-winning Science Writer and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)