Byrana N. Suresh

Biography

Significantly impacting the development of launch vehicle technologies, the space systems engineering expertise and leadership of Byrana N. Suresh and Kailasadivo Sivan have been instrumental in the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) becoming one of the world’s top space agencies known for launching successful missions at low cost. Suresh and Sivan joined ISRO in 1969 and 1980, respectively, and at different points in time served as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a lead center for development of launch vehicles. Suresh led the development of their navigation guidance and control systems, including the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), which has been ISRO’s workhorse for satellite launches. He led the design and development of the electrohydraulic and electromechanical control systems, which are flying in all launch vehicles. He was also responsible for establishing a full-fledged vehicle simulation laboratory with sensors and actuators for evaluating the vehicle system performance under varying conditions of flight. He also developed a number of critical components for actuation systems, eliminating the high cost of importing these components.

Recipient of the 2018 International Council of System Engineering’s Global Pioneer Award and Lifetime Achievement award for 2016, from Space Department, Suresh is an Honorary Distinguished Professor with the Indian Space Research Organization, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.