The chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) K Radhakrishnan retired on Wednesday after having a successful career spanning three decades in the prestigious space agency.
This news came following the news of the successful Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and GSLV MK III which carried into space the human crew module.
The department of personnel and training of ISRO reported that the charge of ISRO will be temporarily given to scientist Shailesh Nayak, who is also the secretary in the earth sciences ministry.
He will be in charge for about a month post which a regular appointment will be done for the post.
Shailesh Nayak is a graduate from the Kerala University post which he did his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur.
Radhakrishnan was first appointed the chairman of ISRO on the 31st of October in the year 2009.
Just a year later from the mission control room in Sriharikota he watched in absolute horror as the GSLV-F06 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) which was carrying the satellite GSAT – 5P exploded in mid air just minutes after it was launched.
It happened to be one of the biggest failures in space science for India.
The scientist who happens to be trained dancer in Kathakali and also devotional singer did not lose heart. He worked harder and now years later has chosen to end his career on a high. This success is largely credited to the back to back success which has come about in a matter of just four months.
Radhakrishnan has also figured as one of the top 10 scientists in the world in 2014.