April 6, 2015: Dr M Annadurai, Outstanding Scientist and Programme Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore, has assumed the office of Director, ISAC on April 01, 2015. He took over as Director, ISAC from Dr S K Shivakumar, who superannuated on March 31, 2015.

Born on July 2, 1958, Dr Annadurai graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, obtained his Post Graduate degree in Applied Electronics from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore and Doctoral degree from Anna University, Coimbatore.

Joining ISRO in 1982, Dr Annadurai began his career at ISAC as the team leader to design and develop Software Satellite Simulator. During the period 1992 -2005, Dr Annadurai was the lead member of ISRO’s satellite mission team and managed eight INSAT Missions as the Mission Director and brought about the efficient ground automation for satellite operations. As Project Director, Dr Annadurai made the most crucial contribution to the realisation of India’s first Lunar Mission, Chandrayaan-1, which won many appreciations and awards including the prestigious Space Pioneer Award, 2009. In 2011, Dr Annadurai became the Programme Director of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) and realised five satellite projects. His other major contribution is the realisation of the successful Mars Orbiter Mission in record time. Dr Annadurai also supervised two student satellite projects.

Dr Annadurai has received many awards and honours. Notable among them are Team Excellence Award from ISRO for his Contribution to Indian Space Programme (2007), National Aeronautical Award-2008 from Aeronautical Society of India, Rajyotsava Award for Science (2008) from Government of Karnataka, Hari Om Ashram Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award (2004), PRL, Ahmedabad, C.P.A. Adithanar Literary Award 2013, Vivekananda Human Excellence Award, 2014 from Ramakrishna Mission, Doctor of Science conferred by five Universities, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space Systems Award, 2009, Certificate of Appreciation from Boeing Asia-America Professional Association, USA and Laurels for Team Achievement – Chandrayaan-1 from International Academy of Astronautics, 2013, Beijing. Dr Annadurai is a Fellow of The Society for Shock Wave Research and a member of International Lunar Network Enabling Technologies Group. He is also the Chairman of Indian Remote Sensing Society (ISRS), Bangalore Chapter. Dr Annadurai has 75 papers to his credit and is the supervisory guide for four PhD works. He has authored three books.