Late Dr.S.Srinivasan was the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre, Trivandrum and could be truly considered as one of the very few
authorities in area of Launch Vehicle Technology in the country.
Born on April 14, 1941 in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu, he obtained BE
(Honors) Degree in Electrical Engineering from Annamalai University and ME
degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science. After
a brief stint at the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited, he received his Ph.D. in
Engineering Mechanics from Ohio State University in 1970.
He joined the Indian Space research Organisation in 1970 at Trivandum. He held
various responsible positions including Deputy Project Leader of SLV-3, India's
first indigenously designed Satellite Launch Vehicle. He then took on the
challenging task of building the PSLV, which was helped India orbit her Remote
Sensing Satellites using her own launch vehicles. He then realized the need for
an integrated program for development of a family of launch vehicles to fulfil
India's application needs. This resulted in an optimum deployment of resources
and reuse of designs leading to higher levels of quality and productivity.
Dr.Srinivasan directed the activities of Sriharikota Centre of ISRO during 1994
gearing up the facility for production of large solid rocket boosters and
launching vehicles with clockwork precision. Since 1994, he shouldered the
responsibility of Director, Vikaram Sarabhai Space Centre working on advanced
technology directions.
The Aeronautical Society of India and the Indian National Academy of Engineering
had bestowed their Fellowship on Srinivasan. His other professional positions
include membership of the Astronautical Society and the Society of R&D
Managers.
Dr.Srinivasan passed away on 1st September, 1999.