George Joseph (scientist)


George Joseph is an Indian space scientist, best known for his contributions to the development of remote sensing technology in India, especially in the field of earth observation sensors. He is a former chairman of the Lunar Mission Study Task Force of the Indian Space Research Organization and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, Indian Academy of Sciences and Indian National Academy of Engineering. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 1999.

Early life

"George Joseph was born on 4 August 1938 to Advocate MG Joseph and Alice. After completing schooling, he joined  St.Berchmans College, Changanassery and also studied at Alagappa Chettiar College in Karaikudi and University College, Trivandrum. He served as lecturer at Union Christian College, Aluva and at CMS College Kottayam. Afterwards he was a trainee at Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Bombay.
Joseph is married to Mercy and they have two sons Joseph and Mathews."

Research career

Joseph started his research career in 1962 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, where he was involved in the study of cosmic rays. Based on his research work at TIFR he was awarded PhD degree by the Bombay University. A novel detector system designed by him was flown on the first Indian satellite Aryabhata to detect solar neutrons.

Contributions to the Indian Space Programme

In 1973, Joseph was invited to join the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad-one of the centers of the Indian Space Research Organization,and initiated the development of remote sensing technology particularly sensors of various types. He has been the guiding force in the design and development of all the earth observation cameras on board Indian Remote Sensing Satellite and INSAT. He served ISRO in various capacities including Director, Space Applications Centre and took keen interest and initiative to ensure the fruits of space technology reach common man. One of the noteworthy contributions of Joseph is the study report on Indian Mission to Moon in the capacity as Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force.
Joseph has served in a number of national and international committees/organizations including President of Technical Commission -I of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing during 1996–2000 and Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific,, with headquarters at Dehradun during 2006–2009.

Positions Held

2010-2018 :- Honorary Distingushed Professor, ISRO
2006-2009 :- Director  Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific, Affiliated to the United Nations
2003-2006 :- Honorary Distingushed Professor, ISRO
1998-2003 :- Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professor
1994-1998 :- Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1990-1994 :- Associate Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1985-1994 :- Dy. Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1975-1985 :- Head, Sensor Development Division, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1973-1975 :- Scientist/Engineer, Remote Sensing & Meteorology Applications Division,Space
Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
1970-1973 :- Fellow, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay
1962-1970 :- Research Associate, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay
1961-1962 :- Trainee, Atomic Energy Establishment School
1959-1961 :- Lecturer in Physics, Union Christian College, Alwaye

'''Special Responsibilities/Assignments (International /National)'''

2012 Member Scientific Advisory Committee, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.
2010 :- Chairman Review panel of TIFR Balloon Facility.
2010:- Member,’State Council of Climate change’, Govt: of Himachal Pradesh
2004 -2006 :- Member, Governing Council, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad
2003-2004: –  Member of the International Academy of Astronautics Study Team on `Space to promote peace –initial focus on reconstruction of Afghanistan.
2002-2004 :-  President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
1999-2001 :- President, Gujarat Science Academy.
1999 onwards :-  Consulting Faculty, Taleem Research Foundation, Ahmedabad
1997-1998 :-  Member, Steering Committee, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, C-DAC, Pune
1997-2000 :- Member, Research Council, National Institute of Oceanography
1996-2000 :- President, Technical Commission-I, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
1996-1999 :- President, Indian Society of Geomatics
1994-1997 :- Member, Research Council, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Calcutta
1994-1996 :- President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing
1993-1996 :- Vice-President, Indian Society of Geomatics
1993-1996 :- Member, Management Council, Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction
1992-1998 :- Member, Andhra Pradesh State Remote Sensing Applications Centre Society.
1989-1998 :- Member, Governing Body of Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum
1988-1998 :- Member, Advisory Committee for Remote Sensing Applications Centre, Bhopal.
1988-1991 :- Member-Secretary, Indian National Committee for Space Research
1985-1988 :- Member, Governing Council, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore

'''Special Responsibilities/Assignments (ISRO / DOS)'''

2017- 2019:-  Chairman Advisory Committee on Space Science
2010:-Member Committee to Review the Chandayaan-2Payload Proposals.
2005 -2017 :- Vice-chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Science
2004-2008 :- Chairman, Science Advisory Board, Chandrayaan-1
2004-2015 :- Chairman, ASTROSAT Payload Monitoring Committee
2009-2018 :- Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee, Space Physics           Laboratory, VSSC, Trivandrum.
2003-2018 :- Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee, National     Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Tirupati
2000-2002 :- Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force
1998-2001 :- Chairman, Technical Review Committee for Remote Sensing Applications
1997-1998 :- Chairman, Management Council, Remote Sensing Application Missions
1995-1998 :- Member, INSAT Project Management Council
1992-1998 :- Member, Management Council for Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems
1992-1998 :- Member, Mission Management Council for Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development
1989-1998 :- Member, Project Management Council, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite
1988-1997 :- Alternate Chairman, Management Council, Remote Sensing Application Missions
1988-1998 :- Chairman, Steering Committee for Remote Sensing Applications of Agriculture Mission
1987-1990 :- Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Utilisation Programme
1987-1988 :- Member, Executive Committee, Microwave Remote Sensing Programme
1987-1988 :- Member, Remote Sensing Application Mission Council
1984-1992 :- Associate Project Director,, INSAT-II Test Spacecraft Project
1980-1988 :- Associate Project Director, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Project
1975-1985 :- Principal scientistSEO/ Bhaskara TV payload

Fellowship/ Membership of professional bodies