Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai
Official portrait of Dr Vikram Sarabhai
1st Chairperson of ISRO
In office
1969–1971
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byM. G. K. Menon
Chairman of the Indian National Committee for
Space Research
In office
1963–1969
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission of India
In office
1966–1971
Preceded byHomi J. Bhabha
Succeeded byH.N. Sethna
Personal details
BornVikram Ambalal Sarabhai
(1919-08-12)12 August 1919
Died30 December 1971(1971-12-30) (aged 52)
SpouseMrinalini Sarabhai (m.1942; died.2016)
ChildrenMallika Sarabhai (daughter)
Kartikeya Sarabhai (son)
Parent(s)Ambalal Sarabhai (father)
Scientific career
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge (BA, PhD)
Known forIndian space program
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
AwardsPadma Bhushan (1966)
Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) (1972)
FieldsPhysics
InstitutionsIndian Space Research Organisation
Physical Research Laboratory
Doctoral advisorC. V. Raman
Doctoral studentsUdupi Ramachandra Rao

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (12 August 1919 – 30 December 1971) was an Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped to develop nuclear power in India. Often regarded as the "Father of Indian space program", Sarabhai was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972.