Satish Dhawan Biography 
Satish Dhawan was a famous mathematician and aerospace engineer, who lived during the 20th century. He lived during the period, 25 September 1920 – 3 January 2002. He is widely regarded as the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India. Known for his research works in the field of turbulence and boundary layers, he succeeded M. G. K. Menon, as chairman of ISRO in 1972. He is one of the eminent scientists and engineers of India in the recent past. Government of India honoured him with the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and Padma Bhushan in 1971 for his outstanding contributions to the field of Science & Engineering.
He was born on 25 September 1920 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He graduated from University of the Punjab in Lahore, where he specialized in in Physics and Mathematics, followed by engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s in English Literature. Later he moved to US for advanced studies in engineering. He also completed Master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Minnesota, followed by a double PhD. in mathematics and aerospace engineering. He prepared the thesis, Direct Measurements of Skin Friction in 1951. After that he started his career as faculty in Indian Institute of Science for many years. He turned the director in 1962.
He has been associated with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for so many years, where he continued with his research works. He became the chairman of the institution in 1972, and also Secretary to the Government of India at the Department of Space. In the 1970s APJ Abdul Kalam has worked under him as the director of a Satellite Launch Vehicle. In 1979, their mission failed due to a leakage in the fuel of the system, which they neglected. Being the chairman, he took all the blames to himself, and promised to deliver success in the next attempt.
SCD Government College Ludhiana was named after him by state government of Punjab. He has earlier studied here. The satellite launch centre at Sriharikota was renamed the Satish Dhawan Space Centre after his death in 2002.
Published: September 17, 2018
Updated: September 17, 2018
