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T. K. Alex

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Thekkethil K. Alex
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndia
Alma materKerala University
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
T.K.M. College of Engineering
AwardsPadma Shri (2007)
Scientific career
FieldsElectrical and Aerospace Engineering
InstitutionsIndian Space Research Organisation

Thekkethil Kochandy Alex is an Indian space scientist. He was the director of the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (2008–2012) and Member, Space Commission.[1] He specialized in electro-optic systems and satellite technology. Starting with the first Indian satellite Aryabhata he has been responsible for the sensor systems in all the Indian satellites. Under his leadership the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (LEOS) was established in 1993 and from the inception he was its director till 2008. From July 2012, he is a "Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor" at ISRO Headquarters.[2]

Education

Dr. Alex from Kerala studied at the SRVLP school, Azhoor, Pathanamthitta and his high school studies were at the Catholicate High School. This was followed by his short period of study for the pre-university course at the Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta,kerala. He studied at the T.K.M. College of Engineering, Kollam from 1964 to 1969. He received his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Kerala University (Gold Medallist), Masters from IIT Madras and Doctorate from IISc Bangalore in Aerospace Engineering.

Contributions to ISRO/India

Alex has contributed to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by establishing the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems in Bangalore. During his early days he designed and realised a magnetic sensor, used in Indian satellites. Further, he and his team developed infrared sensors and camera optics used in all Indian satellites. Instruments developed by his team include star trackers, laser-based instruments, fibre optics sensors, MEMS-based scientific devices, space qualified electro-optic detectors.Alex was the project director of the remote sensing experiment onboard the Indo-soviet manned mission in which the first Indian astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, squadron leader, flew aboard Soyuz T-11, launched on April 3, 1984. He contributed to India to the first Indian Moon mission, Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. Under his guidance country explored inter-planetary mission, Mars Orbiter mission, Mangalyaan.

Awards and recognition

Alex was awarded the Padma Shri in 2007,[3] and the Distinguished Achievement Award of ISRO in 1976 for his contributions for the first Indian satellite. Other awards received include the IMDA award for the development of Infrared sensors and the Hari Om Ashram Vikram Sarbhai award (1987). He received the Aryabhata Award( 2015) of the Astronautical Society of India. He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), National Academy of Science, India (NASI) and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, India (IETE) and a life member of ASI and Instrument Society of India. He is a fellow of the Optical Society of India and he was its President (2010–11).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b ISRO (30 May 2008). "Press Release". Indian Space Research Organisation. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  2. ^ Astronautical Society of India, 2002 ASI Award winner Biography
  3. ^ PIB (26 January 2007). "Padma Awards for 2007 announced". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
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