Meet Eknath Vasant Chitnis: The man who helped build ISRO, recognized the potential of a young APJ Abdul Kalam and brought satellite TV to Indian villages

Professor Eknath Vasant Chitnis was one of those lesser-known figures whose work helped shape the foundations of Indian space research. Chitnis was a founding pioneer of India's space programme and a close associate of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the father of India's space programme. Chitnis was involved in shaping Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which was established in 1962 and later developed into ISRO. His career therefore extended beyond ISRO and space research. He died in 2025, but the projects he helped develop remain part of the history of India's space programme.

Source: Times of India September 12, 2026 06:49 UTC