Indian space scientist (born 1938)
George Joseph
Born (1938-08-04 ) 4 August 1938 (age 85) Nationality Indian Known for Pioneering contribution to the Indian space programme in the area of earth observation technology. Awards Padma Bhushan (1999)Scientific career Fields Satellite Imaging Sensors, Remote Sensing and Space Science Institutions Space Applications Center, Indian Space Research Organization, Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (affiliated to UN)
Website www.profgeorgej.com
George Joseph (born 4 August 1938) is an Indian space scientist, best known for his contributions to the development of remote sensing technology in India, especially in the field of Earth observation sensors. He is a former chairman of the Lunar Mission Study Task Force of the Indian Space Research Organization and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India , Indian Academy of Sciences and Indian National Academy of Engineering . The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan , the third highest civilian award, in 1999.
George Joseph was born on 4 August 1938 to Advocate MG Joseph and Alice. After completing schooling, he joined St.Berchmans College , Changanassery and also studied at Alagappa Chettiar College in Karaikudi and University College, Trivandrum . He served as lecturer at Union Christian College, Aluva and at CMS College Kottayam . Afterwards he was a trainee at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Bombay .
Joseph is married to Mercy and they have two sons Joseph (Gibu) and Mathews (Reji).
Joseph started his research career in 1962 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay, where he was involved in the study of cosmic rays.[1] Based on his research work at the Tata Institute he was awarded a PhD degree by the Bombay University. A novel detector system designed by him was flown on the first Indian satellite Aryabhata (satellite) to detect solar neutrons.[2]
Contributions to the Indian space programme [ edit ] In 1973, Joseph was invited to join the Space Applications Centre , Ahmedabad-one of the centers of the Indian Space Research Organization , and initiated the development of remote sensing technology particularly sensors of various types.[3] He has been the guiding force in the design and development of all the earth observation cameras on board Indian Remote Sensing Satellite and INSAT . He served the Indian Space Research Organization in various capacities including director of its Space Applications Centre and took keen interest and initiative to ensure the fruits of space technology reach common man. One of his contributions is the study report on Indian Mission to the Moon in the capacity as chairman of the Lunar Mission Study Task Force.[4] [5]
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[6] during 1996–2000 and director of the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (affiliated to the United Nations), with headquarters at Dehradun during 2006–2009.[7] [8] [9]
2010-2018: Honorary Distinguished Professor, Indian Space Research Organization
2006-2009: Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific
2003-2006: Honorary Distinguished Professor, Indian Space Research Organization
1998-2003: Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professor
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
1973-1975: Scientist/Engineer, Remote Sensing & Meteorology Applications Division, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1970-1973: Fellow, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay
1962-1970: Research Associate, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay
1961-1962: Trainee (Physics), Atomic Energy Establishment School
1959-1961: Lecturer in Physics, Union Christian College, Alwaye (Affiliated with the University of Kerala) Special Responsibilities/Assignments (International /National)[ edit ] 2010-2020 : Editor-in-Chief Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing
2012: Member Scientific Advisory Committee, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
2010: Chairman Review panel of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Balloon Facility
2010: Member, State Council of Climate Change, Govt of Himachal Pradesh
2004–2006: 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
1999 : Consulting Faculty, Taleem Research Foundation, Ahmedabad
1997–1998: Member, Steering Committee, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune
1997–2000: Member, Research Council, National Institute of Oceanography
1996–2000: President, Technical Commission-I, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
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
1993–1996: Vice-President, Indian Society of Geomatics
1993–1996: Member, Management Council, Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction
1992–1998: Member, Andhra Pradesh State Remote Sensing Applications Centre Society
1989–1998: Member, Governing Body of Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum
1988–1998: Member, Advisory Committee for Remote Sensing Applications Centre, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal
1988–1991: Member-Secretary, Indian National Committee for Space Research
1985–1988: Member, Governing Council, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore Special Responsibilities/Assignments (Indian Space Research Organization)[ edit ] 2017–2019: Chairman Advisory Committee on Space Science
2010: Member Committee to Review the Chandayaan-2Payload Proposals
2005–2017: Vice-chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Science
2004–2008: Chairman, Science Advisory Board, Chandrayaan-1
2004–2015: Chairman, ASTROSAT Payload Monitoring Committee
2009–2018: Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee, Space Physics Laboratory, Trivandrum
2003–2018: Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee, National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Tirupati
2000–2002: Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force
1998–2001: Chairman, Technical Review Committee for Remote Sensing Applications
1997–1998: Chairman, Management Council, Remote Sensing Application Missions
1995–1998: Member, INSAT Project Management Council
1992–1998: Member, Management Council for Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems
1992–1998: Member, Mission Management Council for Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development
1989–1998: Member, Project Management Council, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite
1988–1997: Alternate Chairman, Management Council, Remote Sensing Application Missions
1988–1998: Chairman, Steering Committee for Remote Sensing Applications of Agriculture Mission
1987–1990: Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Utilisation Programme
1987–1988: Member, Executive Committee, Microwave Remote Sensing Programme
1987–1988: Member, Remote Sensing Application Mission Council
1984–1992: Associate Project Director, (Very High Resolution Radiometer, Payload), INSAT-II Test Spacecraft Project
1980–1988: Associate Project Director (Payloads), Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Project
1975–1985: Principal scientistSEO/ Bhaskara TV payload Professional bodies [ edit ] Padma Bhushan (1999)[13]
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Alumni Association Excellence Awards (2009)
Outstanding Life Time Contribution in Ocean Science and Technology (2009)
Life Time Achievement Award, Geospatial Technologies (2008)
Outstanding Achievement Award, Indian Space Research Organization (2008)
Aryabhata Award , Astronautical Society of India (2007)
Melpadom Attumalil Georgekutty Merit Award, Mar Thoma church (2006)
Bhaskara Award : Lifetime Contribution Awarded Instituted by Indian Society of Remote Sensing for outstanding achievement (1997)
Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Science and Technology in the discipline of Space and Aerospace (1987)[14]
SICO – National Academy of Sciences Award for Instrumentation (1986)[15] Fundamentals of Remote Sensing , University Press (India), 1st edition, 2003, 2nd edition 2005
Building Earth Observation Cameras , CRC Press, 2015
India's Journey Towards Excellence in Building – Earth Observation Cameras , re-published by Notion Press 2016
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing , (with C. Jeganathan) University Press (India), 3rd edition, 2018
Organisations Programmes Satellites Space observatories Lunar and planetary spacecraft Human spaceflight Launch vehicles
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Engines
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