Udupi Ramachandra Rao, more popularly known as U.R.Rao, is one of the renowned scientists India has ever produced. As a space scientist, Rao was instrumental in making India a top nation in the field of space technology.

As the director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Prof Rao was responsible for the successful launch of INSAT series of satellites. The launch of INSAT satellites gave a thrust to communications in India, during the 1980s and 1990s.

A native of Udupi district in state of Karnataka, Rao had his primary education at Adamaru and later in Mysore. After completing his PhD, Professor Rao served on the faculty of the prestigious universities like MIT and at the University of Texas where he carried out investigations on a number of pioneer and explorer spacecrafts.
To serve the nation's cause, Prof Rao returned to India in 1966 and joined as a Professor at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. Prof. Rao had the opportunity of working under the late Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer of the India's space research programme.

Convinced by the need to leapfrog to advanced technology and to harness it for the country's rapid economic and social development, he started the establishment of satellite technology in India in 1972.
Under his guidance, India began it's space journey with the launch of the first satellite 'Aryabhata' in 1975. Over 18 satellites were designed and launched for providing communication, remote sensing and meteorological services during his stint at ISRO. Prof Rao also established the Satellite Center in Bangalore and served as its Director.
In 1984 he was appointed as Chairman, Space Commission and Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, positions he held for nearly a decade.

During his chairmanship of the department, India became only the third country in the world to offer commercial remote sensing services to the global community. He accelerated the development of rocket technology, resulting in the launch of ASLV rocket and the operational PSLV launch vehicle. He initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle and the cryogenic technology in 1991.

During Prof Rao's leadership, India made great strides in applications of space technology to communications and management of natural resources. The INSAT satellites in geostationary orbits initiated a total communication revolution in India, providing nationwide communication, TV broadcasting, developmental education, Radio-networking, multimedia, and meteorological and disaster warning services. Remote sensing satellites are now operationally used for management of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, wasteland, drought, floods and ground and surface water resources.

Prof Rao has published over 350 scientific and technical papers covering a variety of topics including cosmic rays, interplanetary physics, high energy astronomy, space applications and satellite and rocket technology. He has authored many books, notable among them are: "Physics of Communication", "Space and Agenda 21 - Caring for the Planet Earth" and "Space Technology for Sustainable Development".
Prof Rao is an elected Fellow of several science academies, including the International Academy of Astronautics. During the years 1997 to 2000, he was the chairman of United Nations - Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and served as the president of UNISPACE-III Conference, in Vienna in 1999.

Professor Rao is the recipient of several national and international awards including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, Jawaharlal Nehru award, Aryabhata award, Alan Emil award, Frank Malina award, Theodore Von Karman award and Meghnad Saha, Yuri Gagarin, and Sarabhai medals. He is also the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from over 20 universities in India and abroad.

Acknowledging his contributions to the application of space technology for societal benefits, he was awarded the "Padma Bhushan" one of the highest civilian awards, by the Government of India in the year 1976.
Prof Rao was ranked by the American Space News magazine among the top ten international personalities who have made a difference in civil, commerce and military space in the world since 1989. The magazine hailed him as the person who guided India to the status of a major space power.

Prof. Rao has also made his contributions as the chancellor of the Ambedkar University and serves on the board of governors of Reserve Bank of India. He also chairs the National Center for Antarctic Research and the Institute for Tropical Meteorology. Prof Rao's submitted his recommendations on the technical education in India to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has become the touchstone for government policy decisions on related issues.