Post by : Rameen Ariff

Dr. E.V. Chitnis, the illustrious Indian space scientist, breathed his last at the age of 100 on Wednesday morning at his home in Pune, following a heart attack. A forerunner of India’s nascent space initiatives, he played an essential role in advancing the country's ambitions in space exploration. Born on July 25, 1925, Dr. Chitnis was part of the early cadre of Indian scientists collaborating with Vikram Sarabhai, who was pivotal in establishing what is now known as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His passing signals the conclusion of a significant era in Indian space science, but his influential legacy will undoubtedly last for generations.

Dr. Chitnis was a key player in the selection of Thumba, Kerala, as the launch site for India’s maiden rocket, recognizing its strategic advantages in the early 1960s. As a prominent contributor to the transition from INCOSPAR to ISRO, he was instrumental in launching initiatives such as the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT), which provided rural areas access to essential television and communication services. His pioneering work in remote sensing, communication satellite technology, and policy formulation made him a cornerstone of India’s scientific advances over decades.

Between 1981 and 1985, he held the position of the second director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, where he oversaw the development of satellite applications for various fields, including communication, meteorology, and education. For his significant contributions, Dr. Chitnis was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1985, reflecting his lasting imprint on India's space endeavors and scientific development. He also played a vital mentoring role for future scientists, notably reviewing A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s résumé in 1962 and endorsing him for NASA training to further India’s aerospace aspirations.

Even after retiring in 1989, Dr. Chitnis remained a zealous advocate for science communication and education. He settled in Pune, where he was a co-founder of the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SSPU), dedicating over twenty years to enhancing science education through media. His commitment to the Indian space program and educational initiatives has inspired innumerable students and researchers, underpinning his belief in making space technology benefits accessible across the nation.

This year, Dr. Chitnis marked his centennial with a conference hosted by IISER Pune and the National Centre for Science Communicators (NCSC), celebrating his monumental contributions to science, space policy, and innovation. The event united senior ISRO scientists with young innovators. Astrophysicist Ajit Kembhavi remarked on Dr. Chitnis’s incredible talent in identifying and nurturing new talent, leaving a legacy that continues to impact India’s space initiatives today.

His legacy extends to science journalism, having served as president of the Press Trust of India for nearly three decades, promoting public awareness and understanding about science in India. His son, Chetan Eknath Chitnis, a distinguished molecular biologist and recent Padma Shri award recipient in 2023, carries forth his father’s commitment to scientific excellence. Dr. Chitnis’s unparalleled contributions to India’s space program inspire both current and future generations of scientists to innovate and broaden India's reach in space.

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