Kailasavadivoo Sivan has been serving as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) since January 15, 2018. Under his leadership, ISRO launched its second lunar exploration mission (Chandrayaan 2) in July 2019. In addition to being the Chairman of ISRO, Sivan also serves as the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).
Wiki/Biography
K. Sivan was born on Sunday, April 14, 1957 (Age: 66 as of 2023) in Mela Sarakkalvilai, Comoli, Tamil Nadu, India. Excellent academic performance since childhood. His family is very poor. His father Kailasavadivoonadar was a paddy and mango farmer. As a child, Sivan helped his father in farming and used to sell mangoes in the market. He received his primary education at a small Tamil secondary school in the village.
Photos of the school Sivan attended
He believes in Hinduism and his zodiac sign is Aries.
family
Sivan was the child of Kailasavadivoonadar (farmer) and Chellamall.
Old photos of Sivan and his mother
He has two sisters and a brother.
Sivan with his sisters and other family members
He is married to Malati Sivan, a housewife. The couple has two sons; Sushanth (an engineer) and Siddharth.
Sivan with his wife and son
Profession
He received his Bachelor of Science degree from South Travancore Hindu College, Nagaaikoil, Tamil Nadu, India. He scored 100% in Mathematics in B.Sc. Thereafter, he attended the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) and received his bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1980.
Old photos of Xiwen’s classmates and teachers
He received his MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1982. In 2007, Sivan received his PhD in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. In 1982, he joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and participated in the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) mission. He contributed to mission planning, design, analysis and integration. In 2014, he became the Director of ISRO’s Center for Liquid Propulsion Systems. In 2015, Sivan became the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).
Sivan joins other scientists at VSSC
On January 15, 2018, he succeeded Kiran Kumar as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
K. Sivan and AS Kiran Kumar
Awards/Honors
- Vikram Sarabhai Doctoral Research Award (1999)
- Dr. Biren Roy Space Science and/or Design Award (2011)
- Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award (2013)
- PhD, Satyabhama University, Chennai (2014)
- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Distinguished Alumni Award (2018)
- Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, awarded the “Vigyan Rattan” Award (2019)
Sivan receives Vigyan Rattan Award
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu (2019)
Sivan wins Kalam Award
favorite thing
- Food: Dal-Chawal, South Indian Cuisine
fact
- During his childhood, his family was poor and his brothers and sisters were unable to receive higher education.
- According to his uncle A Shumugavel, Sivan studied very hard and seriously. He never received any tuition fees.
- He was the first graduate of his family and village.
Sivan (far left) and his friends
- His father discovered his talent when he scored 100% in Mathematics in BSc. His father sold part of the land and borrowed some money to enable Sivan to study at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT).
- Before joining MIT, Sivan often wore a “dhoti/lungi” in college. At MIT, he wore pants for the first time.
- He earned the nickname “Rocket Man” for developing cryogenic engines for India’s space programme. He also helps launch rockets in different weather and wind conditions.
Sivan helped develop cryogenic engine
- He is an expert in 6D trajectory simulation software, which enables predefined trajectory paths.
- Sivan joined the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) project in 2011. He also contributed to the reusable launch vehicle project.
- In February 2015, Swann played a key role in the PSLV-C37 launch of 104 satellites at once.
Sivan with model rocket
- Sivan has been involved in almost every rocket project since 1982.
- On July 22, 2019, under his chairmanship, ISRO launched its second lunar exploration mission “Chandrayaan 2”. However, Randvikram lost communication. Thereafter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ISRO scientists and motivated them. Sivan became emotional and shed tears during his meeting with the Prime Minister. Narendra Modi hugged and consoled him.
#watch Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs and consoles ISRO chairman K Sivan after his collapse. #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/R1d0C4LjAh
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2019
- Sivan believed in spiritual values. He regularly visits the temple before and after working on any particular project.
K Sivan while visiting temple
- His hobbies are reading, traveling, listening to Tamil classical songs, gardening etc.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education