Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai
Padma Shree Awardee Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai is a distinguished space scientist of International repute. He has Ph.D. in engineering and has served in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for 36 years contributing to more than 60 satellites made in India. During his tenure (2015-2018) as Director of the ISRO satellite center, Dr. Annadurai led more than 3000 strong scientists and engineers to make and launch a record number of 30 state-of-the-art satellites. Prior to that, he led two of the most significant achievements of ISRO namely Chandryanna-1 and Mangalyaan (Moon and Mars missions), as Project Director and Programme Director for the respective missions. He was also instrumental in operationalizing the NAVIC constellation.
Dr. Annadurai had led many international committees and forums on space science and technology. He has been the Chairman of a working group for the entire United Nations Committee for Peaceful Use of Outer Space, and has been Co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Space Forum, Indo-German Joint Working team for Space cooperation, and Indo-French Joint working team for Space cooperation.
Dr. Annadurai has been the Vice President of the Tamilnadu State Council for Science & Technology and Chairman of the National Design and Research Forum from 2019 to 2022. He is the Chairman of the Aerospace committee in SICCI (Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industries). Dr. Annadurai is a member of the Tamilnadu State Audit Advisory Board and honorary advisor for a few startups and charitable trusts namely, Moon Land Pvt Ltd Chennai, Gencrest Pvt Ltd Mumbai, Thathya Earth Pvt Ltd Mumbai, Orange Foundation, Chennai, Senior Citizens Forum, Chennai, Edutech4Space, Dubai.
Dr. Annadurai has been bestowed with the Padma Shree award in 2016 for Science and Technology from Govt. of India, the Rajyotsava Prashasti award for Science in 2008 from Govt. of Karnataka, IEI-IEEE(USA) Engineering Excellence Award 2016, along with more than 100 national and international awards. He has authored 7 books and his achievements have been highlighted in the science textbooks of Tamilnadu since 2009.
Post superannuation, Dr. Annadurai has been mentoring and guiding engineering students and young entrepreneurs in innovative projects of social relevance.
