Biography

Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao, born on February 5, 1947, in Bangalore, India, is an eminent aerospace engineer renowned for his contributions to the Indian space programme. He graduated in mechanical engineering from University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering in 1969 and earned a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, specializing in rockets and missile systems. He later obtained a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. Dr. Prahlada's career spans over four decades, with significant roles at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Aeronautical Development Establishment, and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), where he served as director from 1997 to 2005.

Achievements

• Received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2015
• Served as Program Director for the BrahMos Supersonic cruise missile system
• Contributed to the development of Akash, Prithvi, Agni, and Nag missile systems
• Chairman of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)
• Initiated projects like Astra air-to-air missile and Long Range Surface-to-air missile systems
• Established key facilities such as Compact Antenna Test Range, Supersonic Ramjet Engine Test facility, and Computational Fluid Dynamics Centre
• Received awards including DRDO Scientist of the Year, National Aeronautical Prize, and IISc Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Conferred honorary doctorates by Sri Venkateswara University (2006) and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur (2012)

Current Roles

• Director - Vedic Sciences, NIVS
• Adjunct Professor, Department of Aerospace and Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science
• Managing Trustee, Trust for Advancement of Aerodynamics of India
• Member, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)
• Member, FICCI National Committee on Science and Technology
• Editorial Board Member, Indian Strategic journal

Contact Information

Email: [javascript protected email address]
Phone: Phone: 080-26914637
Address: Bangalore, Karnataka, India