U R Rao Satellite Centre Explained

Agency Name:	U R Rao Satellite Centre
Parent Agency:	ISRO
Jurisdiction:	Department of Space
Headquarters:	Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Budget:	See the budget of ISRO
Chief1 Name:	M. Sankaran
Chief1 Position:	Director
Website:	URSC home page

The U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), formerly ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) (Hindi: इसरो उपग्रह केंद्र) is an ISRO centre for the design, development, and construction of Indian satellites. It was established in 1972 as Indian Scientific Satellite Project (ISSP) in Peenya Industrial Estates of Bangalore.^[1] ISAC was renamed as U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) after the former ISRO Chairman and ISAC founding director Dr. Udupi Ramachandra Rao with effect from 2 April 2018. URSC is situated in Vimanapura Post.

The centre launched its 100th satellite on January 12, 2018,^[2] encompassing the INSAT series, the IRS series, and GSAT communication satellites.

Organisations under URSC include the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) and the ISRO Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE).

Organisation

Like other ISRO centres, URSC is organised using matrix management. The centre is divided into Functional Areas such as Control and Mission Area, Electronic Systems Area, Mechanical Systems Area, and Reliability and Components Area.

Each area is divided into groups. For instance, Control and Mission area has many groups like Control Systems Group, and Flight Dynamics Group. Groups are divided into divisions. For example, Control Systems Group has divisions such as Control Electronics Division, Control Dynamics and Analysis Division.

Project Planning and Evaluation Group, Computer and Information Group, Space Astronomy and Instrumentation Division are independent. Facilities groups like Thermovac facility and projects such as IRS, INSAT, SATNAV operate separately.

Directors

M. Sankaran is the current director.^[3]

Prof Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1976-1984) was the founding director. He was a Padma Bhushan recipient who later became the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and held the post of Chancellor at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram until his last days.
Col N Pant (1984-1990), a Padma Shri recipient
Dr K Kasturirangan (1990-1994), a recipient of the three major civilian awards from the Government of India: the Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000).^[4] He later became the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation
Shri R Aravamudan (1994-1997)
Dr P S Goel (1997-2005), a Padma Shri recipient
Dr K. N. Shankara, (2005-2008), a Padma Shri recipient
Dr T K Alex (2008-2012),^[5] a Padma Shri recipient
Dr S. K. Shivkumar (2012-2015),^[6] a Padma Shri recipient
Dr Mylswamy Annadurai (2015-2018),^[7] a Padma Shri recipient
Dr P. Kunhikrishnan (2018-2021)^[8]

External links

https://www.ursc.gov.in

Notes and References

Web site: Bangalore's ISRO Satellite Centre turns forty . 23 June 2019 . 21 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190921183903/https://www.ndtv.com/bangalore-news/bangalores-isro-satellite-centre-turns-forty-481967 . live .
Web site: ISAC's maiden century . 23 June 2019 . 14 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190714010833/https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-100th-satellite-today-a-look-at-space-agency-s-ten-achievements/story-WSNCAVHswR8XUsho2ie8vL_amp.html . live .
News: 27 May 2021 . Sankaran appointed U R Rao Satellite Centre's director . URSC . 3 June 2021 . 3 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603081116/https://www.ursc.gov.in/directors/sankaran.jsp . live .
Web site: Padma Awards . Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . 2015 . 21 July 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf . 15 October 2015 . dmy-all .
Web site: DR T K Alex Appointed as New Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore . 23 June 2019 . 19 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019105700/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/30-may-2008/dr-t-k-alex-appointed-new-director-of-isro-satellite-centre-bangalore . dead .
Web site: S K Shivakumar takes over as Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore . 23 June 2019 . 20 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220820183947/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/30-jun-2012/s-k-shivakumar-takes-over-director-of-isro-satellite-centre-bangalore . dead .
Web site: M Annadurai takes over as Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore . 23 June 2019 . 20 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220820183809/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/06-apr-2015/dr-m-annadurai-takes-over-director-of-isro-satellite-centre-bangalore . dead .
Web site: P Kunhikrishnan retires as Director of U.R.Rao Satellite Centre, Bangalore. 3 June 2021. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602132507/https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/isro-director-kunhikrishnan-will-retire-today-1367698. live.