Shri. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of the Physical Research Laboratory Management Council and Member of the Space Commission, Government of India, served as Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, ISRO (2015–2018).

A key architect in advancing India’s space programme, he has led developments in earth observation, communication, navigation, meteorology, and space science, as well as indigenous launch vehicle technologies.

He has overseen the design and development of over 50 electro-optical imaging sensors deployed on spaceborne platforms since the Bhaskara satellite in 1979, and played a central role in the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Missions.

Internationally, he has served as Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (2012) and contributed to the Coordination Group of Meteorological Satellites, the World Meteorological Organisation’s Expert Team on Satellite Systems, and the Indo-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation.

He has led the Aeronautical Society of India as President and is a Fellow of multiple prestigious scientific bodies, including the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences India, and the International Academy of Astronautics.

In recognition of his contributions, 18 Indian universities have awarded him Honoris Causa and D.Sc. degrees. Born in Hassan, Karnataka, he holds an M.Sc. in Physics (Electronics) from Bangalore University and an M.Tech. in Physical Engineering from IISc, Bengaluru.

He has co-authored 85 publications in various national/international scientific journals/conferences/symposiums.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri by the President of India (2014), the Rajyotsava Award (2015), and the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Senior Scientist State Award (2013). His accolades also include multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards from premier scientific bodies, the IISc Distinguished Alumnus Award (2015), Gujarat Ratna ‘Life for Innovation’ Award (2014), Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Centenary Award (2016), G.M. Modi Science Award (2016), H.K. Firodia Vijnan Ratna Award (2017), Santokbaa Award (2018), and the ISRO Lifetime Achievement Award (2018). Internationally, he received the von Karman Wings Award from Caltech’s Aerospace Historical Society (2018) and the Chevalier de l'Ordre national de la Légion d'Honneur – France’s highest civilian honour (2019).