Satish Dhawan was a prominent Indian aerospace engineer, widely regarded as the father of India's space program. He was the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1972 to 1984, and oversaw the development of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, and the launch of India's first rocket, SLV-3. He also played a key role in establishing the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the Sriharikota Range, and the Space Applications Centre.

Dhawan was born in Srinagar, Kashmir, in 1920. He graduated from the University of Punjab with a degree in physics and mathematics in 1941. He then moved to the United States, where he obtained his master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1947, and his PhD in aeronautics and mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in 1951. He returned to India in 1951 and joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as a professor of aeronautical engineering. He became the director of IISc in 1962 and held the position until 1981.

Dhawan's research interests included boundary layer theory, turbulence, flow separation, wing theory, and re-entry problems. He made significant contributions to fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, and published over 200 papers in national and international journals. He also mentored many students and scientists who went on to become leaders in the field of aerospace engineering.

Dhawan was appointed as the chairman of ISRO in 1972, succeeding Vikram Sarabhai, who had died in 1971. Dhawan inherited a nascent space program that faced many challenges and uncertainties. He had a vision of using space technology for the benefit of society, especially in areas such as communication, remote sensing, meteorology, and education. He also emphasized self-reliance and indigenization of space technology.

Under Dhawan's leadership, ISRO achieved several milestones in space exploration and application. He guided the design and development of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1975. He also spearheaded the development of India's first launch vehicle, SLV-3, which successfully placed Rohini satellite into orbit in 1980. He also initiated several projects such as APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment), Bhaskara (Earth observation satellite), INSAT (Indian National Satellite System), IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System), and ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle).

Dhawan was also known for his courage and integrity. He faced a major setback in 1979, when the first launch of SLV-3 failed due to a malfunction. Dhawan took full responsibility for the failure and shielded his team from criticism. He gave them another chance to rectify their mistakes and launch SLV-3 again. The second launch in 1980 was successful and marked a historic moment for India's space program.

Dhawan retired from ISRO in 1984 and was succeeded by U.R. Rao. He continued to be associated with IISc as an honorary professor until his death in 2002. He received many awards and honors for his contributions to science and engineering, such as the Padma Vibhushan (1981), the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1999), and the Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 2013). He was also elected as a fellow of several prestigious academies such as the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of London, and the National Academy of Sciences (USA).

Satish Dhawan was a visionary leader who shaped India's space program and inspired generations of scientists and engineers. His legacy lives on in the achievements and aspirations of ISRO and its partners.

Satish Dhawan:

Father of India's space program

Satish Dhawan was one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian space research. He was the third chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). He is widely regarded as the father of India's space programme, as he led the development of several key projects such as the Aryabhata satellite, the SLV-3 launch vehicle, and the Rohini satellite series.

Dhawan was born on September 25, 1920, in Srinagar, Kashmir. He completed his undergraduate studies in physics and mathematics at Lahore University (now in Pakistan) and then moved to the United States for his postgraduate studies. He obtained his master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Minnesota and his PhD in aeronautics and mathematics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Dhawan returned to India in 1951 and joined IISc as a professor of aeronautical engineering. He established the first supersonic wind tunnel in India and conducted pioneering research on boundary layer flows, turbulence, and shock waves. He also mentored many students who later became prominent scientists and engineers.

In 1972, Dhawan was appointed as the chairman of ISRO, succeeding Vikram Sarabhai, who had died in 1971. Dhawan faced many challenges in his tenure, such as the lack of funds, resources, and international support for India's space ambitions. However, he overcame these obstacles with his vision, leadership, and innovation. He initiated several programmes that aimed to use space technology for social and economic development, such as remote sensing, telecommunications, meteorology, and education.

One of Dhawan's most notable achievements was the successful launch of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, on April 19, 1975. The satellite was named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer and carried scientific instruments to study the Earth's atmosphere and cosmic rays. Dhawan also played a crucial role in the development of India's first launch vehicle, SLV-3, which was capable of placing a 40 kg satellite into low Earth orbit. The SLV-3 made its maiden flight on August 10, 1979, but failed to reach orbit due to a guidance error. Dhawan took full responsibility for the failure and defended his team from criticism. He also ensured that the lessons learned from the failure were incorporated into the next flight, which took place on July 18, 1980. This time, the SLV-3 successfully launched Rohini RS-1, India's first indigenously built satellite.

Dhawan retired from ISRO in 1984 and returned to IISc as its director. He continued to contribute to science and education until his death on January 3, 2002. He received many awards and honors for his work, such as the Padma Vibhushan (1981), the Indira Gandhi Prize (1999), and the Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 2013). He is also remembered by naming several institutions and facilities after him, such as the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the Satish Dhawan Chair at IISc, and the Satish Dhawan Lecture Series at ISRO.

Satish Dhawan was a visionary leader who shaped India's space programme with his scientific excellence, administrative acumen, and human values. He inspired generations of scientists and engineers to pursue their dreams of exploring the final frontier. He left behind a legacy that will continue to guide India's space endeavours for years to come.