Indian space scientist Kasturirangan Krishnaswamy, a TWAS Fellow since 1996, passed away on 25 April 2025. He served as the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore, India, as well as president of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, and the Indian Science Congress Association.

From 1994 to 2003, Kasturirangan led the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as chairperson, also chairing the Space Commission and serving as secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space. Under his leadership, India's space programme achieved major milestones, including the successful deployment of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the first successful flight test of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

His scientific work focused high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy, as well as optical astronomy. He made significant contributions to the study of cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma rays, and the effects effect of cosmic X-rays on the lower atmosphere.

Kasturirangan was a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Science Academy, the National Academy of Sciences, India, the Astronautical Society of India, and the Indian Meteorological Society. He was also an academician of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

His numerous accolades include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in engineering, the M.P. Birla Memorial Award in astronomy, the Shri M.M. Chugani Memorial Award in applied science, and the Dr. M.N. Saha Birth Centenary Medal for outstanding contributions to space science.

He was also the recipient of three of India’s highest civilian honours: the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan.