Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1932–2017)

Prof. U. R. Rao, internationally renowned space scientist and father of the satellite programme in India, passed away on 27 July 2017 at his residence in Bengaluru. Rao symbolizes several personalities–a versatile space scientist, a technologist par excellence, a passionate space application protagonist, leader, manager, institution builder, visionary –all rolled into one. He laid the foundation for the development of satellite technology in India, and is rightfully considered as the Father of India’s satellite programme.