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U. R. Rao
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U. R. Rao

Space scientist who built India’s first satellite

10 March 1932 – 24 July 2017 India Verified by our editors
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Lived
85 yrs
1932 – 2017
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U. R. Rao was a space scientist who led the team that built Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, launched in 1975. As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994 he oversaw the development of the PSLV rocket. He was the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame. He died in 2017.

Biography

Cosmic rays

Rao studied in Madras and Banaras and earned his PhD under Vikram Sarabhai at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. He then worked in the United States, including at MIT, on instruments for NASA’s Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft.

Aryabhata

Returning to India in 1966, he was given charge of building India’s first satellite. Working from sheds in Bangalore with a small team, he led the creation of Aryabhata, launched by a Soviet rocket in April 1975. He went on to lead later satellites including Bhaskara and the APPLE communications satellite.

Chairman of ISRO

As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994, Rao oversaw the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which flew successfully in 1994, and the start of the GSLV and cryogenic engine programmes, as well as expansion of the INSAT and IRS satellite systems.

Honours

He received the Padma Bhushan in 1976 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017, and in 2013 became the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame in Washington. He died in Bengaluru on 24 July 2017.

Timeline

  1. 1932

    Born in Adamaru, Udupi district, Madras Presidency (now Karnataka)

  2. 1966

    Returns to India

  3. 1975

    Aryabhata launched

  4. 1976

    Padma Bhushan

  5. 1984

    Chairman of ISRO

  6. 1994

    First successful PSLV flight

  7. 2013

    Satellite Hall of Fame

  8. 2017

    Padma Vibhushan; dies in Bengaluru

  9. 2017

    Died, aged 85

Awards and honours

  • Padma Bhushan

    1976

  • Satellite Hall of Fame

    2013

  • Padma Vibhushan

    2017

Did you know?

  1. 1

    India’s first satellite was built in sheds in Bangalore.

  2. 2

    He worked on NASA spacecraft instruments.

  3. 3

    He was the first Indian in the Satellite Hall of Fame.

Connections

Related people

Also born on 10 March

Frequently asked

Who is U. R. Rao?

U. R. Rao was a space scientist who led the team that built Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, launched in 1975. As chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994 he oversaw the development of the PSLV rocket. He was the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame. He died in 2017.

When did U. R. Rao die?

U. R. Rao died on 24 July 2017 at the age of 85.

Where is U. R. Rao from?

U. R. Rao was born in Adamaru, Udupi district, Madras Presidency (now Karnataka).

What is U. R. Rao known for?

U. R. Rao is best known for Leading the Aryabhata satellite; chairing ISRO from 1984 to 1994; developing the PSLV.

What awards has U. R. Rao received?

Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (1976), Satellite Hall of Fame (2013), Padma Vibhushan (2017).

References

  1. U. R. Rao — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  2. U. R. Rao — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  3. U. R. Rao (Q7877236) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.

Includes material from the Wikipedia article “U. R. Rao”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more

External links

Wikipedia
Filed under ISROSatellites EngineerScientist

Featured in

Space & Exploration

The people behind India’s space programme

From rockets carried on bicycles to a landing near the Moon’s south pole, India’s space programme was built by a remarkable group of scientists, engineers and astronauts.

27 October 2026

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“U. R. Rao.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/u-r-rao

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