Dr. K. Kasturirangan was the Director of URSC from 1990 to 1994. From April 1994, he steered the Indian Space Programme for over 9 years as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, of Space Commission and Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space. He laid down his office as Chairman, ISRO on 27 August 2003. He was subsequently nominated as a member of Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Indian Parliament from 2003 to 2009. During this period, he also served as Director of National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.

Between June 2009 and May 2014, he was a member of the Planning Commission of Government of India.

Dr. Kasturirangan is presently the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Satish Dhawan Chair of Engineering Eminence of Indian National Academy of Engineering, Professor Emeritus at NIAS and Member, Atomic Energy Commission.

During his stint as Director, URSC, the Centre achieved several major milestones including the development of INSAT-2 series satellites, IRS Satellites as well as scientific satellites. Prior to this, he was also the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I and II and subsequently was responsible for overall direction of the first operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-1A. Further, he has also overseen the design, development and launching of the world's best civilian satellites, IRS-1C and 1D, realization of the second generation and initiation of third generation INSAT satellites, besides launching ocean observation satellites IRS-P3/P4.

Dr. Kasturirangan took his Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Bombay University and received his Doctorate Degree in Experimental High Energy Astronomy in 1971 working at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

As an Astrophysicist, he has made extensive and significant contributions to studies of Cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma-rays and effect of cosmic x-rays in the lower atmosphere.

He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India, Indian National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical Society of India, National Telematics Forum, The Indian Meteorological Society and The World Academy of Sciences. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers, Founder Member of the Astronomical Society of India, Life Member of the Indian Physics Association, Indian Science Congress Association and Indian Society of Remote Sensing and Honorary Fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India and Kerala Academy of Sciences.

He is an Academician of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican, a Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University, a Member of the International Astronomical Union and the International Academy of Astronautics. He has chaired some of the prestigious international committees, such as, the International Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), Panel for Space Research in Developing countries of COSPAR/ICSU and the committee meeting at senior official level of UN-ESCAP, that led to the adoption of the "Delhi Declaration" by the Ministers of the region (1999-2000).

He has won several awards including Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering, Shri Hari Om Ashram Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Prerit Award in Aerospace, M.P. Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy, Shri M.M.Chugani Memorial Award in Applied Science, H.K.Firodia Award in Science Technology, Rathindra Puraskar and Desikothama from Visvabharati, Shantiniketan, Dr.M.N.Saha Birth Centenary Medal for outstanding contributions in the field of Space, Aryabhata Award of ASI, Aryabhata Medal of INSA, ISRO Lifetime Achievement Award, GM Modi Award by GM Modi Science Foundation, Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Award by the Indian Science Congress, Award of Jewel of Ruia, Ruia College Alumni Association, Maharana Udai Singh Award by Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Rajayogindra Award, Maharaja of Mysore, Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Gold Medal, Indian Science Congress, Dharma Vira Memorial Citation & Gold Medal and JK Lakshmipat University Laureate Award.

International recognitions include 'Brock Medal' of International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing , Allan D Emil Memorial Award of the International Astronautical Federation, Lifetime Achievement Award of Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council, Singapore and Theodre Von Karman Award by International Academy of Astronautics. He has been conferred the Award of "Officer of the Legion d'honneur' by the President of the French Republic and also honoured with the highest Indian civilian awards, viz. "Padmashri", "Padma Bhushan" and "Padma Vibhushan" by the President of India.