Credit for ISRO's popularity goes to strategic thinking Kasturirangan

Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Kasturirangan is an excellent communicator who not only was capable of inspiring his juniors, but also listened closely to what they had to say, said his long-term colleagues, recalling how 'Kasturirangan's magic', led to a string of successes for the space agency under him.

- AGENCIES

Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 84 and was suffering from age-related ailments for the past few months, said family sources. He is survived by two sons.

"There was a cult around him and the 'Kasturirangan's magic' at ISRO, because, be it either launch vehicles or satellites, a string of successes followed him," said Director B R Guruprasad, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP), who has known him for 38 years.

"PSLV had its first successful flight during his tenure as chairman and all PSLV rockets were successful in putting the satellites to orbit. And it was during his chairmanship that GSLV had its first successful flight. He also initiated the study on Chandrayaan, managing to get it approved by the government, the scientific community as well as the engineering community," added Guruprasad.

Guruprasad also recalled how during the March 28, 2001 launch of GSLV, it had to be aborted initially due to some safety lapses.