K. Sivan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
K. Sivan
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Official portrait
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| 9th Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation | |
| In office 15 January 2018 – 14 January 2022 |
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| Preceded by | A. S. Kiran Kumar |
| Succeeded by | S. Somanath |
| 12th Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre | |
| In office 2015–2018 |
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| Preceded by | M. C. Dathan |
| Succeeded by | S. Somanath |
| Personal details | |
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Kailasavadivoo Sivan
14 April 1957 Mela Sarakkalvilai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education |
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Sivan Kailasavadivu (born 14 April 1957) is an Indian aerospace engineer. He is famous for leading the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as its Chairman. He also served as the Secretary of the Department of Space. Before this, he was the Director of important centers like the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
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Early Life and Background
Sivan was born on April 14, 1957. His birthplace is a village called Sarakkalvilai, near Nagercoil. This area is in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. His parents are Kailasavadivu and Chellam.
Education and Learning
Sivan went to a government school in his village where he studied in Tamil. He later earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering in 1980 from Madras Institute of Technology.
He continued his studies and received a master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1982. This degree was from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. After that, he began his career at ISRO.
In 2006, Sivan earned his doctoral degree in aerospace engineering. He completed this at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is also a respected member of several engineering and scientific groups in India.
Career at ISRO
Sivan joined ISRO in 1982. He worked on designing and developing rockets, also known as launch vehicles. One of his first big projects was the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). This rocket is very important for putting satellites into space.
He also played a key role in improving the GSLV program. GSLV stands for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is another powerful rocket used by India. Sivan helped create a special software called SITARA. This software helps simulate how rockets fly.
In 2014, Sivan became the director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. This center focuses on the engines that power rockets. Then, in 2015, he became the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. This is a major center for rocket development.
Leading ISRO
Sivan became the chief of ISRO in January 2018. He took office on January 15. During his time as chairman, ISRO launched many missions.
One of the most famous missions under his leadership was Chandrayaan-2. This was India's second mission to the Moon. It launched on July 22, 2019. The mission included an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. While the lander and rover had a difficult landing, the orbiter successfully reached the Moon. It is still orbiting the Moon and sending back valuable information.
Sivan's term as chairman was extended until January 2022. After his time at ISRO, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore.
Awards and Recognition
Sivan has received several important awards for his contributions to space science.
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award, 2019.
- IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, shared with Byrana N. Suresh, 2020.
