Jump to content

Nilesh M Desai

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nilesh M. Desai

Nilesh M. Desai is an Indian engineer and space scientist. He is known for his work in the development of microwave radar satellites, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), quantum key distribution, and the third Indian lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3. He began serving as the director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC)[1] in Ahmedabad in 2021.[2][3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Nilesh Desai was born on the 1st of April, 1964, in a Gujarati family in Navsari, Gujarat. [citation needed] Desai graduated from theKendriya Vidyalaya system. He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree from L.D. College of Engineering, Gujarat.[citation needed] In September 2023, Desai was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree (Honoris Caucausa)[4] during the 28th Convocation of Bundelkhand University[5] for his contribution to the design and development of ISRO’s Microwave Radar (RISAT),[6] Oceansat,[7] NISAR,[8] and critical elements of Chandrayaan-3.[9]

Career at ISRO

[edit]

In 1986 at SAC/ISRO, Desai began to work in ISRO's Microwave Remote Sensing Programme (MRSP). Desai played a role in the design and development of ISRO's microwave Radar Systems[citation needed], which are used in applications such as earth observation, navigation, and communication technologies. Desai has led the design and development of various key projects such as the RISAT-1 C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Oceansat-2, Scatsat-1, Chandrayaan-2, Orbiter SAR, and Lander Altimeter, and Hazard Detection & Avoidance Processing System for Chandrayaan-3.[citation needed] Desai played a role in advancing VLSI and semiconductor manufacturing in India.[citation needed] He was involved in ISRO's development of its first indigenous ASIC and contributed to efforts to modernize the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh. Additionally, Desai has participated in initiatives related to the formulation of the Indian semiconductor policies. Under his leadership, ISRO developed its first satellite-based quantum communication system (SBQC).[10]

During his tenure, he held the positions of Group Director and Deputy Director of multiple technical areas of SAC. He also worked as an associate director for some duration before he became the director of SAC.[citation needed]

Awards and recognitions

[edit]

His contributions and leadership have earned him multiple accolades, including the ISRO Performance Excellence Award (2018),[11] the ISRO Individual Merit Award (2010),[2] and the ISRO Team Award for the RISAT-1 Payload in 2012.[2] Desai's recent recognitions include the IESA Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Indian Space Programme at Spacetronics and Deftronics Summit (2023), as well as the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for Accelerating Indian Design Verification Ecosystem by DVCon-India in 2023.[12]

International representation and professional affiliations

[edit]

Nilesh Desai has represented ISRO, and India at various international forums in countries such as Austria, China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom. He has actively contributed to discussions and conferences, notably organizing and presiding over the ICG-14[13] held in India in December 2019. He remains an active life member of several professional societies, including the Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS), Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG),[14] Astronautical Society of India (ASI),[15] and Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering (ISSE).[16] Desai served as the National President of ISRS[17] from 2020 to 2022, and currently holds the position of Vice President of ISSE-Ahmedabad Chapter.[18]

Advocacy and outreach

[edit]

Desai is involved with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition[19] and the Smart India Hackathon (SIH),[20] and has delivered lectures in engineering and science on National Science & Technology days. As the Chief Nodal Officer of ISRO/DOS for SIH, he actively spearheads various outreach initiatives for school and college students at SAC/ISRO.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Nilesh Desai new SAC director". The Times of India. 1 January 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ "The convocation ceremony will take place with major changes, the scientist will be awarded an honorary degree". 25 September 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Bundelkhand University, Jhansi". www.bujhansi.ac.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  6. ^ "RISAT-1". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Oceansat-2". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  8. ^ Rosen, Paul A.; Kim, Yunjin; Kumar, Raj; Misra, Tapan; Bhan, Rakesh; Sagi, V. Raju (May 2017). "Global persistent SAR sampling with the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission". 2017 IEEE Radar Conference (RadarConf). IEEE. pp. 0410–0414. doi:10.1109/radar.2017.7944237. ISBN 978-1-4673-8823-8. S2CID 12427851.
  9. ^ "Chandrayaan-3: Know Ahmedabad ISRO's contribution to India's moon mission". english.gujaratsamachar.com. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  11. ^ "ISRO Awards presented to 96 achievers". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  12. ^ "DVCon India – Design and Verification Conference & Exhibition". dvcon-india.org. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  13. ^ "ICG 14: Working Group D Presentations". www.unoosa.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  14. ^ "ISG I Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG) – ISG I Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG)". isgindia.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  15. ^ "ASINDIA". www.asindia.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  16. ^ "ISSEIndia". isseindia.co.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Indian Society of Remote Sensing | Home". www.isrs-india.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  18. ^ "ISSEIndia". isseindia.co.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  20. ^ "ISRO Organizes Smart India Hackathon-2022 Grand Finale". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nilesh_M_Desai&oldid=1265361326"