UR Rao becomes first Indian to be awarded IAF’s 'Hall of Fame' Award

Former ISRO Chairman and space scientist Prof Udupi Ramachandra Rao became the first Indian to be given ‘Hall of Fame’ Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
Mr. Rao has been selected for the prestigious award for his outstanding contribution to the progress of astronautics within the framework of the IAF activities.
He will receive the award at the 67th International Astronautical Congress to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico in September 2016.

About UR Rao

• He had served as Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1984 to 1994.
• Under his leadership, India had initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991.
• He was also responsible for successful launch of INSAT satellites during his stint at ISRO.
• He also had served as the first Chairman of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the ISRO.
• Presently, he is the Chairman of Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad.
• Currently, he is also Chancellor of Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram.
• Awards and Honours: Padma Bhushan (1976). He was inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington in March 2013 at a ceremony organised by the Society of Satellite Professionals International.

IAF Hall of Fame: It consists of a permanent gallery of these personalities, including biographical information, citation and a picture in a special part of the IAF web presence.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2016