T. K. Alex

T. K. Alex
Residence	Bangalore, State of Karnataka
Citizenship	India
Nationality	Indian
Fields	Electrical and Aerospace Engineering
Institutions	Indian Space Research Organisation
Alma mater	Kerala University Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Notable awards	Astronautical Society of India Award (2002)

Thekkethil Kochandy Alex is the director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Satellite Centre (ISAC).^[1] T. K. Alex received his bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the Kerala University ( Gold Medallist ), Masters from IIT Madras and Doctorate from IISc Bangalore in Aerospace Engineering. T. K. Alex has specialized in Electro-Optic systems and satellite Technology. Starting with the first Indian Satellite Aryabhata he has been responsible for the sensor systems in all the Indian satellites. Under his leadership the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (L E O S) was established in 1993 and from the inception he has been its director.^[2]

Development of Sensors and Optics

T. K. Alex, is responsible for the development of sensors like IR earth sensors , sun sensors, star trackers, magnetic sensors, temperature and pressure sensors. These resulted in spin off technologies which have been transferred to many industries. Other advanced sensors developed include Fiber optic Gyro, Laser range sensor, and space cameras. Recently he initiated the development of MEMS technology for space sensors . Under his leadership, an advanced facility with computer controlled optics fabrication capability became a reality. He has been guiding the development of space optics for all the imaging payloads in IRS, INSAT and Astrosat satellites. Space optics developed at LEOS are used in the high resolution cameras onboard TES and Cartosat satellites and Meteorological Radiometers of INSAT and Chandrayaan-1. Ion-beam based optical polishing system, using non-contact fabrication technique has been established. Other developments include coating processes for space optics, optical filters and thermal control materials. Other processes developed include Diamond like Carbon coating (DLC), Ion-assisted coating of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and ultra black coating for optical baffles.^{[citation needed]}

Theoretical Studies

Management Activities

Alex contributed significantly in configuring most of the Indian satellites. He was the Head of the Sensor Systems Division of ISAC and Project manager for the attitude control systems of IRS-I. He was the Principal Scientist for SMART camera of Rohini-D2 satellite. As Project Director for the remote sensing experiment conducted during first Indian Manned Space Flight, he was involved in the training of the cosmonaut and participated in the launch campaign and data utilization projects. He was the Study Director of IRS-IC/ID satellite which carried the worlds best imaging cameras ( in the Ninetees ) for civilian application. He was the Project Director for the Advanced Sensor Development Project in which a number of detectors for space application were developed. He was Chairman, Management Council of Chandrayaan-1 Project, a mission to the Moon and guided the development of a Laser altimeter for study of the topography of Moon. Lead the project team for mission planning, and successful launch of Chandrayaan-1. The most significant result of the Chandrayaan-1 mission was the discovery of Water on Polar region of the Moon using three of its instruments. He is directing the development of a large number of communication,remote sensing, scientific and Navigation satellite projects at ISAC. Dr.Alex is a Member of Space Commission.^{[citation needed]}

Established Advanced Facilities

The facilities established in LEOS under his direction include design facilities for sensors, micro-processors, optics, opto-mechanical and structural designs. Other facilities at LEOS include MEMS laboratory, environmental test facilities and a number of specialized test systems like the earth, sun and star simulators. At the ISRO Satellite Center, facilities have been established for assembly of multiple satellites and integrated test facilities include thermo-vacuum, vibration and acoustic test facilities, all under one roof.^{[citation needed]}

Other Achievements

Alex was awarded Padmashri in 2007. Alex was also awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award of ISRO for his contributions for the first Indian satellite. Other awards received include the IMDA award for the development of Infrared sensors and the Hari Om Ashram Vikram Sarbhai award (1987). He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering ( INAE) and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, India ( IETE) and a life member of ASI. He was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award of ISRO in 2008.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ISRO Press Release May 30, 2008
2. ^ Astronautical Society of India, 2002 ASI Award winner Biography

Persondata
Name	Alex, T. K.
Alternative names
Short description	Director of the Indian Space Research Organisation
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death