Isro staff mourns the death of U R Rao

Nellore: Shar employees have been mourning the death of former Isro chairman Prof. U.R. Rao who was responsible for sanctioning the second space central school and a clinic close to the Isro quarters at K.R. Palem in Sullurpeta after the success of the second Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle mission. He also played a role in expanding the staff quarters from 280 to 1,200 during his tenure as chairman. According to former associate director of Isro P. Vijayasaradhy, Prof. Rao was a kind person though his attitude projected him as a tough individual.

He referred to the sanction of the second space central and multipurpose function hall at Pulicat Nagar though he had told them to choose any one of them when they placed the representation before him. He had also told them that he would sanction the proposals only if they ensure the success of the second mission of PSLV because of the failure of the first one.

“The mission succeeded in 1993 and we got what we asked for,” Mr Vijayasaradhy said. He said that Prof. Rao was working on interplanetary missions especially on Mars and his study was particularly focused on how to make Mars amenable for living.  Mr Vijayasaradhy credited Prof. Rao for the infrastructure established for PSLV, which is popularly known as Isro’s workhorse launch vehicle.