Kailasavadivu Sivan, Space Scientist
Space Scientist

Kailasavadivu Sivan

Born 14 April 1957 · Tamil Nadu

Led the development and launch of India's Mars Orbiter Mission in 2013.

Kailasavadivu Sivan is an Indian aerospace engineer who served as the secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of ISRO and Space Commission. He has previously served as the director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

K. Sivan developed the SITARA 6D trajectory simulation software, which remains the core mission planning tool for all ISRO launch vehicles since 2015.

The Story

1
In 1982, Kailasavadivu Sivan joined ISRO to work on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project, a pivotal moment when India was still carving its path in space technology.
2
🌠 By 2014, Sivan took charge as director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, steering the revival of the troubled GSLV program with indigenous cryogenic technology that had previously faced consecutive failures.
3In 2015, he was appointed director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where he masterminded the 6D trajectory simulation software SITARA, the backbone for all ISRO launch vehicle missions since.
4🚀 Under Sivan's leadership from 2018 to 2022 as ISRO chairman, the PSLV successfully launched 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a record for the agency and showcasing India’s satellite deployment capabilities.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2019
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 2019, after the Chandrayaan-2 lander lost communication just moments before touchdown, K. Sivan openly displayed visible emotion, reflecting the intense personal stakes involved in space missions.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Dr. Kailasavadivu Sivan, ISRO Chairman, at the Technology Transfer Agreement signing in Bengaluru (2018).
Dr. Kailasavadivu Sivan, ISRO Chairman, at the Technology Transfer Agreement signing in Bengaluru (2018).
2018
Dr. Kailasavadivu Sivan addressing a press conference on Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbit insertion in Bengaluru (2019).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Sarakkalvilai Village
Kailasavadivu Sivan was born in the farming village of Sarakkalvilai in Tamil Nadu, marking the start of a life rooted in humble origins.
1957
⚡
Career
Joined ISRO and PSLV Project
Sivan began his career at ISRO, working on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle project that was crucial for India’s satellite launch capabilities.
1982
📚
Education
Completed PhD at IIT Bombay
While deeply involved with ISRO projects, he earned his doctorate in aerospace engineering, advancing his technical expertise.
2006
⚡
Career
Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
Appointed director, he played a pivotal role in reviving the GSLV program with indigenous cryogenic engine technology.
2014
⚡
Career
Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Took charge at VSSC, overseeing launch vehicle mission design and developing the SITARA simulation software.
2015
⚡
Career
Became ISRO Chairman
Assumed leadership of ISRO, Department of Space, and Space Commission, steering critical missions including the record-setting PSLV launches.
2018
⚡
Career
Chandrayaan-2 Lunar Mission
Oversaw the complex lunar mission where the lander lost contact moments before touchdown, yet 95% of the mission objectives were successfully met.
2019
⚡
Career
Retired as ISRO Chairman
Concluded his tenure after shaping ISRO’s trajectory toward human spaceflight and reusable launch vehicles.
2022
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Sivan completed his PhD in aerospace engineering from IIT Bombay in 2006 while already deeply involved in ISRO’s launch vehicle projects.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He holds fellowships in four major Indian engineering and science societies, including the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and Aeronautical Society of India.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The launch vehicle trajectory simulation software SITARA, developed under Sivan’s guidance, is used in both real-time and non-real-time mission planning for all ISRO launch vehicles.

No quote recorded for Kailasavadivu Sivan yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
PM Narendra Modi Super Speech On ISRO Scientist | K Sivan | Chandrayaan 2 | YOYO TV NEWS
·YouTube
More from this archive
PM Narendra Modi Super Speech On ISRO Scientist | K Sivan | Chandrayaan 2 | YOYO TV NEWS
01
PM Narendra Modi Super Speech On ISRO Scientist | K Sivan | Chandrayaan 2 | YOYO TV NEWS
YouTube
Ex-ISRO Chief K Sivan: "Need Bigger Rockets In Future, Can't Live On Frugal Engineering Alone"
02
Ex-ISRO Chief K Sivan: "Need Bigger Rockets In Future, Can't Live On Frugal Engineering Alone"
YouTube
Dr. K. Sivan journey
03
Dr. K. Sivan journey
YouTube
ISRO Chief K Sivan Shares His Life's Journey With Arnab Goswami | Nation Wants To Know
04
ISRO Chief K Sivan Shares His Life's Journey With Arnab Goswami | Nation Wants To Know
YouTube
ఇస్రో చీఫ్ శివన్ కన్నీటి కథ | ISRO Chairman K Sivan Biography | Chandrayaan 2 | Unknown Facts
05
ఇస్రో చీఫ్ శివన్ కన్నీటి కథ | ISRO Chairman K Sivan Biography | Chandrayaan 2 | Unknown Facts
YouTube
ISRO Chairman K Sivan Life Story | Chandrayaan 2 | Unknown Facts about K Sivan | S Cube Hungama
06
ISRO Chairman K Sivan Life Story | Chandrayaan 2 | Unknown Facts about K Sivan | S Cube Hungama
YouTube
ISRO Chief K Sivan Personal Life Details | ISRO Chairman K Sivan Research Achievements | News Mantra
07
ISRO Chief K Sivan Personal Life Details | ISRO Chairman K Sivan Research Achievements | News Mantra
YouTube
ISRO Chairman K Sivan Biography | Chandrayaan 2 | Family | Education | Unknown Facts | YOYO TV
08
ISRO Chairman K Sivan Biography | Chandrayaan 2 | Family | Education | Unknown Facts | YOYO TV
YouTube
K SIVAN | HOW A FARMER SON BECAME ISRO CHAIRMAN | किसान का बेटा बना इसरो चेयरमैन
09
K SIVAN | HOW A FARMER SON BECAME ISRO CHAIRMAN | किसान का बेटा बना इसरो चेयरमैन
YouTube
Farmer to ISRO Chairman - K Sivan's Life Journey | ISRO | Kailasavadivoo Sivan | Aadhan Telugu
10
Farmer to ISRO Chairman - K Sivan's Life Journey | ISRO | Kailasavadivoo Sivan | Aadhan Telugu
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

K. Sivan revived the GSLV programme after two consecutive failures, enabling indigenous cryogenic technology to power India’s heavy rocket launches. His leadership pushed ISRO to set a world record by launching 104 satellites in one mission with PSLV. His innovations in launch vehicle simulation and wind biasing transformed mission reliability, laying the foundation for India’s human spaceflight program (Gaganyaan) and reusable launch vehicle development.

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