[SatNews] Dr. M. Annadurai, who made major contributions in India's Mars and Moon missions, has assumed the office of Director, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).
 

The ISRO's new Director of the Bangalore Satellite Center, Dr. M. Annadurai.

Annadurai, Outstanding Scientist and Program Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellites and Small Satellite Systems of ISAC, succeeds S. K. Shivakumar who retired on March 31, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Annadurai joined the ISRO in 1982 and began his career at ISAC as the team leader to design and develop Software Satellite Simulator.

During the period from 1992 to 2005, he was the lead member of the ISRO's satellite mission team and he managed eight INSAT missions as Mission Director and brought about efficient ground automation for satellite operators. As Project Director, he made the most crucial contribution to the realization of India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, which won a number of awards, including the prestigious Space Pioneer Award in 2009. In 2011, he became the Program Director of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites and Small Satellite Systems and he brought five satellite projects to fruition. Another success was the successful Mars Orbiter mission, which was completed in record time.

He has received the Team Excellence Award from ISRO for his contribution to the Indian Space Program in 2007, the National Aeronautical Award in 2008 from the Aeronautical Society of India and the Rajyotsava Award for Science in 2008 from the Government of Karnataka, in addition to being a Doctor of Science that has been conferred upon him by five universities.