S. Srinivasan, VERIFY
VERIFY

S. Srinivasan

Born 14 April 1941 · verify — Died 1 September 1999

Directed Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre during critical development of India's satellite launch vehicles.

Suryanarayanan Srinivasan was an Indian aeronautical engineer and the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), known for his pioneering work in rocket science. He also served as the director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre and assisted A. P. J.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Srinivasan assisted A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as deputy director during the SLV-3 mission, a project that marked India’s first successful experimental satellite launch vehicle in 1980.

The Story

1
🚀 In 1970, after earning a PhD in engineering mechanics from Ohio State University, S. Srinivasan returned to India and joined ISRO, immediately diving into the Rohini satellite project.
2
Born in 1941 in Asikkadu village, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan transitioned from a traditional Tamil Brahmin upbringing to pioneering space technology, bridging two very different worlds.
3By 1980, he became deputy director under A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for the SLV-3 mission, directly participating in India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle flights.
4🌌 In 1988, he was appointed director of ISRO's Integrated Launch Vehicle Program, overseeing early development phases of the PSLV, India’s first indigenously designed satellite launcher.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2000
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Srinivasan was born in a small Tamil Nadu village in 1941 and went on to earn a PhD in the United States by 1970 before joining ISRO the same year, showcasing a swift transition from rural origins to cutting-edge aerospace science.

📸 Through the Years

📷

No photos yet

Help preserve history — add a photo of this icon

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Asikkadu, Tamil Nadu
S. Srinivasan was born into a traditional Tamil Brahmin Iyer family in the village of Asikkadu, Mayiladuthurai district.
1941
⚡
Career
Joined ISRO after PhD return
After completing his PhD in engineering mechanics at Ohio State University, Srinivasan returned to India and began working at ISRO.
1970
⚡
Career
Deputy Director for SLV-3 mission
Srinivasan worked under A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as deputy director during India’s first satellite launch vehicle project, SLV-3.
1980
⚡
Career
Director of Integrated Launch Vehicle Program
He took charge of ISRO’s Integrated Launch Vehicle Program, advancing PSLV and GSLV development.
1988
⚡
Career
Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Srinivasan was appointed director of VSSC, overseeing critical stages of the PSLV project.
1994
⚡
Career
Successful commercial PSLV launch
Under Srinivasan’s leadership, the PSLV achieved its first commercial launch, bolstering India’s space program reputation.
1999
🕊️
Death
Death at age 58
Srinivasan passed away while still serving as VSSC director, survived by his wife Lakshmi and two children.
1999
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He served as deputy director for the SLV-3 project under A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in 1980, directly involved in launching India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1999, just months before his death, Srinivasan oversaw the successful commercial launch of PSLV, marking a significant step in India’s space commercialization efforts.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He was both a Fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India and the Indian National Academy of Engineering, honors reflecting his technical stature within India’s aerospace community.

No quote recorded for S. Srinivasan yet.

🌱 What changed because of them

Srinivasan’s leadership in the SLV and PSLV programs was pivotal in transforming ISRO from experimental launches to operational satellite deployment and commercial launches. His directorship at key ISRO centers helped institutionalize India’s space launch capabilities, enabling the country to become one of the few nations with indigenous satellite launch vehicles. This groundwork supported ISRO’s later successes in interplanetary missions and commercial satellite services.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about S. Srinivasan?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of S. Srinivasan...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?