Born on July 2, 1958, Dr Annadurai graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, obtained his Post Graduate degree in Applied Electronics from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore and Doctoral degree from Anna University. Joining ISRO in 1982, Dr Annadurai began his career at URSC as the team leader to design and develop Software Satellite Simulator. During the period 1992 -2005, Dr Annadurai was the lead member of ISRO's satellite mission team and managed eight INSAT Missions as the Mission Director and brought about the efficient ground automation for satellite operations. As Project Director, Dr Annadurai made the most crucial contribution to the realisation of India's first Lunar Mission, Chandrayaan-1, which won many appreciations and awards including the prestigious Space Pioneer Award, 2009. In 2011, Dr Annadurai became the Programme Director of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) and realised five satellite projects. His other major contribution is the realisation of the successful Mars Orbiter Mission in record time. Dr Annadurai also supervised two student satellite projects. Dr Annadurai has received many awards and honours. Notable among them are ISRO Team Excellence award-2007, ISRO Merit Award-2009, ISRO Team excellence award-2010, ISRO Outstanding Achievement Award-2014, National Aeronautical Award-2008 from Aeronautical Society of India, Rajyotsava Award for Science (2008) from Government of Karnataka, Hari Om Ashram Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award (2004), C.P.A. Adithanar Literary Award 2013, Vivekananda Human Excellence Award, 2014 from Ramakrishna Mission, HK Firodia Award 2007, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati National Eminence Award, 2009 for Science and Technology, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space Systems Award, 2009, Certificate of Appreciation from Boeing Asia-America Professional Association, USA and Laurels for Team Achievement - Chandrayaan-1 from International Academy of Astronautics, 2013, Beijing,Times NRI Gobal Indian Award for science -2017, IEI-IEEE Award for contributions & Leadership in space technology in service to humanity. Five universities have conferred Doctor of Science on him. Dr Annadurai is a Fellow of International Astronautical Federation , Fellow of The Society for Shock Wave Research and a member of International Lunar Network Enabling Technologies Group. He is also the Chairman of Indian Remote Sensing Society (ISRS), Bangalore Chapter. He has authored three books. Dr.Annadurai's Education, Early Life and works at ISRO have been mentioned in 10th Standard Science Text book of Tamilnadu. He has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri , 2016 for his contributions in the field of Science & Engineering by the President of India. |
Dr M Annadurai, was Director, URSC from April 01, 2015 to July 31, 2018. Before taking over as Director, URSC, he was Programme Director for Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS) at URSC, Bengaluru.