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George Joseph - Space Camera Designer

Dr George Joseph has made significant contribution to the development of remote sensing technology in India, especially in the field of earth observation sensors. He is rightfully considered the pioneer of satellite based imaging sensors in India.

Early life:

Dr. George Joseph, born 4th August 1938, hails from Chengannur, Vydhianveetil family (a branch of Kakuvettoor family), Kerala, India. After completing schooling he joined St. Berchmans College Changanassery and is alumni of Alagappa Chettiar college, Karaikudi, Tamilnadu and University College, Trivandrum Kerala. He served as lecturer in Union Christian College, Aluva, Kerala and at CMS college, Kottayam, Kerala. Afterwards he was a trainee at Atomic Energy Establishment (now called BARC), Bombay.

Research career:

Dr. Joseph started his research career in 1962 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR), Bombay where he was involved in the study of cosmic rays. Based on his research work at TIFR, he was awarded PhD degree by the Bombay University. A novel detector system designed by him was flown on the first Indian satellite ARYABHATA to detect solar neutrons.

Contributions to the Indian Space Programme:

In 1973, Dr. Joseph joined the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad - one of centers of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and initiated the development of remote sensing sensors of various types. He has been the guiding force in the design and development of all the earth observation cameras on board Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) and INSAT. He served ISRO in various capacities including Director, Space Applications Centre and took keen interest and initiative to ensure the fruits of space technology reach common man. One of the noteworthy contributions of Dr. Joseph is the study report on Indian Mission to Moon in the capacity as Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force.

Dr. Joseph has served in a number of national and international committees/organizations including President of Technical Commission-I of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) during 1996-2000 and Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), (affiliated to the United Nations), with headquarters at Dehradun during 2006-2009.

Fellowship/ Membership of professional bodies:

Fellow Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc) Fellow National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc) Fellow Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) Fellow Indian Geophysical Union Fellow Gujarat Science Academy Fellow Indian Meteorological Society Fellow Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) Fellow Astronautical Society of India Life Member Gujarat Bio-medical Engineering Society Life Member Indian Society of Geomatics

Important positions held:

2006-2009     Director, Center for Space Science &Technology Education in Asia & the Pacific (affiliated to the UN) 1998-2003     Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professor (ISRO) 1994-1998     Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad 1990-1994     Associate Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad 1985-1994     Dy. Director (Remote Sensing) Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad 1975-1985     Head, Sensor Development Division Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad 1970-1973        Fellow, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay 1959-1961        Lecturer in Physics, Union Christian College, Alwaye (Affiliated to University of Kerala) SPECIAL   Responsibilities/assignments (international /national)

2004-2005    Member, Governing Council, Indian National Centre for Ocean 	  	                                               Information Services, Hyderabad 2003-2004    Member of the International Academy of Astronautics Study Team on Space to promote peace – initial focus on reconstruction of    		                                                                                   	Afghanistan. 2002-2004    President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing. 1999-2001    President, Gujarat Science Academy. 1997-2000     Member, Research Council, National Institute of Oceanography 1996-2000     President, Technical Commission-I, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) 1996-1999     President, Indian Society of Geomatics 1994-1997     Member, Research Council, Central Glass and Ceramic   	               	                                                                                      Research Institute, Calcutta 1994-1996     President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing 1989-1998     Member, Governing Body of Centre for Earth Science Studies, 			                                                                                           Trivandrum 1988-1991     Member-Secretary, Indian National Committee for Space Research 		                                                                                        (INCOSPAR) 1985-1988    Member, Governing Council, Ind ian Institute of Astrophysics  		                                                                                                 (IIA),Bangalore Awards received:

Recognition by Government of India

Padma Bhushan – 1999 by Government of India.

Other Awards

Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) award -2009 for lifetime contribution in  		                                                               Ocean Science and technologies.

Geospatial Technologies Lifetime Achievement award- 2008.

Outstanding Achievement award by ISRO-2008.

Aryabhata Award instituted by Astronautical Society of India for  outstanding lifetime contribution to the promotion of   astronautics in India-2007.

Bhaskara Award – 1997: Instituted by Indian Society of Remote Sensing for 	 		                                                       outstanding lifetime contribution. Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Foundation Award for Science and Technology - 			                                            1987 	 the discipline of Space and Aerospace.

SICO - National Academy of Sciences Award for Instrumentation-1986.

Preceded by

PP Kale	Government offices

Director SAC(ISRO) 1994-1998	Succeeded by

AKS Gopalan

Dr. George Joseph

Born            4th August, 1938, Chengannur,Kerala, India Residence    Ahmedabad, India. Nationality   India

Institutions    Space Applications Center, ISRO Center for Space Science and technology education in Asia and the pacific(affiliated to UN)

Known for      Pioneering contribution to the Indian Space Programme in the area of earth . observation technology

Notable Award Padmabushan ...