G. Madhavan Nair
G. Madhavan Nair | |
|---|---|
Nair (right) with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, 2002 | |
| Born | 31 October 1943 Thirunanthikarai,
Kulasekharam, Kingdom of Travancore, British India (present day Kanyakumari), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Indian Space Program |
| Parent | Gopala Pillai (father) |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (1998) Padma Vibhushan (2009) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Rocket Technology and Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| Institutions | Indian Space Research Organisation Bhabha Atomic Research Center |
| 6th Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation | |
| In office 1 September 2003 – 29 October 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan |
| Succeeded by | Koppillil Radhakrishnan |
G. Madhavan Nair (born 31 October 1943) is an Indian space scientist and a former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, and Secretary to the Department of Space, Government of India. His tenure saw commencement of Indian Human Spaceflight Programme and launch of extraterrestrial exploration mission Chandrayaan-I.
He was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology Patna until he stepped down due to his involvement in a controversial deal relating to sale of radio spectrum bandwidth involving Antrix. He was subsequently barred from holding any private position.
Nair was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, on 26 January 2009.