Andhra Pradesh Appoints former ISRO Chairman Somanath as Space Technology Advisor

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the appointment of Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, a distinguished aerospace engineer and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as the Honorary Advisor for Space Technology. This role, which carries cabinet rank, is initially set for a two-year term. Dr. Somanath will provide strategic guidance to the state government on leveraging space technology for governance, research, and industry applications.

A Stellar Career in Space Exploration
Dr. Somanath, born in July 1963 in Kerala, has had an illustrious career in India's space sector. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, specializing in dynamics and control. He also earned a Ph.D. from IIT Madras.

Joining ISRO in 1985, Dr. Somanath played pivotal roles in several key projects, including the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III). As ISRO Chairman from January 2022 to 2024, he oversaw groundbreaking missions such as Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole in August 2023.

• Responsibilities as Honorary Advisor
  In his advisory role to Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Somanath will focus on integrating space technology into critical areas such as disaster management, urban planning, agriculture, and climate change monitoring. His responsibilities include:
• Guiding the establishment of advanced space technology hubs and research centers.
• Promoting the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite navigation, and AI-driven analytics.
• Supporting public-private partnerships to foster innovation in space applications.
• Encouraging collaborations between academia, global space organizations, and government agencies.
• Expanding satellite-based solutions for precision farming, weather forecasting, and natural disaster monitoring.

Dr. Somanath's expertise is expected to significantly enhance Andhra Pradesh's technological capabilities and position it as a leader in space-driven innovations.

A Visionary Leader
Known for his contributions to launch vehicle design and structural engineering, Dr. Somanath has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Recently, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by IISc for his contributions to India's space exploration efforts.