Pune Mourns Passing of Senior Space Scientist Dr. Eknath Chitnis at 100
Pune, 22nd October 2025: Senior space scientist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Eknath Vasant Chitnis passed away on Wednesday morning in Pune. He would have celebrated his 100th birthday on July 25, 2025. Dr. Chitnis was a pioneering figure in India’s space program and played a key role in the formation of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Born in Kolhapur and educated in Pune, Dr. Chitnis earned degrees in chemistry and physics before completing a diploma in radio communications. Following the advice of eminent scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, he left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States to pursue space and X-ray research in India.
Dr. Chitnis joined India’s space program in 1961, working closely with Dr. Sarabhai. He served as the Director of the Space Applications Centre and was instrumental in identifying Thumba as a site for satellite launches. In 1962, he became the Member Secretary of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which later evolved into ISRO.
He contributed significantly to the design of the INSAT series of satellites and was a driving force behind using space technology for societal benefits. In the 1970s, Dr. Chitnis, alongside Prof. Yashpal, implemented the Satellite Instructional Television Education (SITE) project in collaboration with NASA. This initiative leveraged satellite technology to reach millions across India with programs on agriculture, weather, health, education, telecommunications, and entertainment, eventually enabling television access nationwide.
The Government of India recognized his lifelong contribution to science by awarding him the Padma Bhushan, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
Dr. Chitnis’ pioneering work laid the foundation for modern space research in India and his efforts to use technology for social development have left a lasting legacy.
