Nilesh M. Desai
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (February 2024) |
Nilesh M. Desai | |
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| Born | April 1, 1964 |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Occupations |
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Nilesh M. Desai (born 1 April 1964) is an Indian engineer and space scientist, currently serving as the director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, a research facility under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). SAC focuses on satellite-based applications in communication, navigation, and remote sensing.[1][2]
Desai’s work includes contributions to microwave radar systems, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, quantum key distribution, and lunar exploration missions such as Chandrayaan-3.
Early life and education
[edit]Desai was born on April 1, 1964 in Navsari, Gujarat in a Gujarati family.[3] He completed his schooling through the Kendriya Vidyalaya system and earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the L.D. College of Engineering (LDCE) in Gujarat.[4] In 2023, Desai was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Bundelkhand University.
Career
[edit]Desai joined ISRO in 1986, initially working at SAC on microwave remote sensing programs.[5] He contributed to multiple projects, including the RISAT-1 C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Oceansat-2, ScatSat-1, the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter SAR, and systems related to Chandrayaan-3.[6]
Desai's technical expertise extends to VLSI and semiconductor manufacturing, and he was involved in developing satellite-based quantum key distribution systems at ISRO.[7]
Desai was appointed as the director of SAC in 2021, overseeing research and development of satellite applications in communication, navigation, and earth observation.[6]
Awards and honours
[edit]- ISRO Team Award for the RISAT-1 payload (2012)[1]
- Lifetime Achievement Award from DVCon India (2023)[8]
Professional affiliations
[edit]- Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS)
- Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG)[9]
- Astronautical Society of India (ASI)[10]
- Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering (ISSE)[11]
- National President of ISRS (2020–2022)[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Brief Bio Data". isrs-india.org. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Director SAC | Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ "Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum". www.aprsaf.org. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ "BEL & SAC, ISRO, sign MoU for productionisation of space-grade TWTAs in India". bel-india.in. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Director SAC | Space Applications Centre". www.sac.gov.in. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "DVCon India – Design and Verification Conference & Exhibition". dvcon-india.org. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "ISG I Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG) – ISG I Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG)". isgindia.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "ASINDIA". asindia.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "ISSEIndia". isseindia.co.in. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "Indian Society of Remote Sensing | Home". www.isrs-india.org. Retrieved 24 November 2023.