S. K. Shivakumar

Dr. S. K. Shivakumar (1953 – 13 April 2019) was an Indian Distinguished Scientist from Karnataka state who worked at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centres. He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015.

Early life and education Shivakumar was born in 1953 in Mysore in Mysore State (now Karnataka), India. He earned a BSc from Mysore University followed by a BE in Electrical Communications Engineering and an MTech in Physical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He received PhD in Electronics with his dissertation on “Autonomy Features in a Spacecraft” from Kuvempu University in 2014.

He was involved in several satellite missions such as Bhaskara, Indian National Satellite System (INSAT), Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) and Indian Remote Sensing Programme (IRS). Shivakumar was the mission director of the IRS-1B and IRS-1C satellite missions.

Awards

Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2008) Nadoja Award (2013) Honorary Doctorate (DSc) by the Mysore University The cause of death was reported to be post-hepatic jaundice.