Renowned space scientist and former ISRO Chairman U R Rao, who was the brain behind India's first satellite Aryabhata and guided the country's key space programmes, died here on Monday due to age-related ailments. The 85-year-old passed away at his residence here.
"Rao breathed his last around 3 am," Indian Space Research Organisation Public Relations Director Deviprasad Karnik said.
Rao is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.
From India's humble space programme Aryabhata in 1975 to its missions to the Moon (Chandrayan-1) and Mars (Mangalyan) and the proposed Aditya solar mission, Rao was involved in all ISRO's key programmes till date in one capacity or the other.
He is credited with playing a pivotal role in establishing satellite technology that saw the launch of a wide array of satellites, including Bhaskara, APPLE, Rohini, INSAT-1 and INSAT-2 series of multipurpose communication and meteorological satellites, IRS-1A, IRS-1B , IRS-1C and 1D remote sensing satellites.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his death.
"Saddened by demise of renowned scientist, Professor UR Rao. His remarkable contribution to India's space programme will never be forgotten," he said in a tweet.
Rao began his career as a cosmic ray scientist, under the late Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the father of India's space programme.