Navigation scientist, G. Satheesh Reddy, has been appointed Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier missile research laboratory in Hyderabad.

An Outstanding Scientist grade with the RCI, Satheesh will formally take over on Wednesday. He joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in July 1986. He has been with RCI right from the inception in 1988.

The 49 year old Satheesh is considered a leading navigation expert and has contributed to both onboard systems and several key technologies of the Indian missiles, especially the Agni and Prithvi series and the ballistic missile shield. He succeeds S.K. Chaudhuri, who superannuates today.

He is the youngest director in the Indian missile complex, which consists of the RCI, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory (all in Hyderabad) and the Interim Test Range, Bhubaneswar.  

A B.Tech in electronics and communications engineering from JNTU Ananthapur, he also completed his M.S. (By Research) in the same discipline from JNTU, Hyderabad.  

RCI, a brainchild of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is into developing frontier technologies in collaboration with academic institutions and industry. It is also involved in induction and production of the guided missile systems for the armed forces.

Satheesh Reddy was born in Mahimalore village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh into an agriculture family.

He has won several awards including the Biren Roy Space scientist and young scientist and DRDO scientist of the year awards.

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in