Royal Academy for Technical Education

Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

The missile man of India, born on 15th October 1931, in a village near Rameswaram in Tamilnadu of India doesn’t need an introduction. The shy natured person completed his Bachelor in Science degree from St. Ramanathpuram & Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT).

His challenge in life took him close to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who guided him throughout all his achievement in his life. As a scientist, he achieved many milestones in DRDO, ISRO, SLV III (Satellite Launch Vehicle Project). The missiles he worked on like Agni, Prithvi and Nag included India in the world of nuclear power nations. He has been awarded the coveted civilian awards – Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997).

His approach to the weaponisation of India with the strategic missile system Pokhran II nuclear test, and mission project of LCA (Light combat Aircraft) speaks of vision a head of age times and “His dreams of a strong & scientifically developed & a self sufficient India.

RATE has taken inspiration from this great scientist and leader. RATE is trying to give a small contribution in the dream project of Dr. Kalam’s “Lead India 2020”.

Kalpa Chawla (Ph.D.), NASA ASTRONAUT

Kalpana was born in July 1st in a village in Karnal, and graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976. She then completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, 1982, then moved on complete her Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas, 1984, and Doctorate of Philosophy in aerospace engineering from University of Colorado, 1988.

Her research word in fields like Powered lift computational fluid dynamics & complex air flow encountered by aircraft, are a few to mention. From the sources of NASA she reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 and become an astronaut candidate in the 15th Group of Astronauts. She was assigned as a crew representative to work on technical issue for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches, She was also assigned charge of Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and testing space shuttle control software in the Shuttle & Avionics Integrated Robotation.

She was a mission specialist & robotic arm operator on STS-87, which made 252 orbits of the Earth, traveling 6.5 million miles in 376 hours and 34 minutes.

The life of this young glittering personality was brought to an abrupt end on STS-107 Columbia (January 16 to February 1, 2003), When she, and her crew were returning to mother earth and the space shuttle crashed in space just 16 minutes prior to touch down. She was posthumously honored with numerous awards for her achievement & dedication in the field of Aeronautics.

RATE is inspired by their achievements and dedication in their chosen field and feels motivated to enlighten today’s students with their experience in world avionics.