Ex-ISRO chief UR Rao passes away
What's the story
The man behind Aryabhatta, the internationally-renowned space scientist UR Rao passed away in the wee hours of Monday morning.
Rao was 85, breathed his last at about 2:30 am.
The scientist was hospitalized earlier this year with a heart ailment.
The former ISRO chief was serving as the chairman of the governing council of the physical research laboratory and chancellor of Thiruvananthapuram's IIST.
Information
UR Rao, a man of several achievements
Udupi Ramachandra Rao was a space scientist and former chairman of ISRO. Rao was conferred the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1976 and was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2017.
Recognition
From Aryabhatta to Mars Orbiter Mission: Rao's work over years
Rao served as the chairman of ISRO for about 10 years.
Among other positions held by him, his most notable is his tenure at the MIT.
Rao became the first Indian to be given the 'Hall of Fame' award by the International Astronautical Federation in May 2016.
He was also the recipient of D.Sc (Hon. Causa) degree from over 25 universities.
Lifetime
UR Rao: 1932-2017
The man who won 10 international awards and many national awards was born in Adampur village in Udupi.
Rao has often been associated with the likes of MGK Menon, Satish Dhawan and Vikram Sarabhai.
Rao who published more than 350 scientific and technical papers and authored many books left the world bereft of yet another scientific marvel.
Condolences
PM Modi pays respect to the former scientist
As the internationally renowned scientist left for his heavenly abode this Monday morning, PM Modi expressed grief over the loss.
In a post on Twitter, PM said that he is saddened by Professor Rao's death and his remarkable contribution to India's space programme would never be forgotten.
Apart from PM, MP Naveen Jindal too mourned the demise of the eminent scientist.