Renowned Indian space scientist Eknath Vasant Chitnis passed away peacefully at his home in Pune yesterday due to a heart attack. He was 100 years old.

A towering figure in India’s space saga, Chitnis was instrumental in laying the foundations of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which later blossomed into the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh paid tribute on X, calling Chitnis “one of the icons of our space odyssey.” Ramesh fondly recalled the historic meeting on February 10, 1962, when Chitnis accompanied Vikram Sarabhai to meet then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, a moment that shaped India’s space ambitions.

Chitnis’s legacy is rich and multifaceted. He played a key role in selecting Thumba, Kerala, as the launch site for India’s first rocket, a decision that was pivotal in kick-starting the nation’s space journey. As Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad from 1981 to 1985, he advanced critical projects in remote sensing, satellite communication, and the landmark INSAT programme.

Among his notable feats was spearheading the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), an innovative project that utilised satellite technology to deliver educational programming to rural India. SITE illustrated how space technology could break barriers, enhance education, and improve healthcare access for the underserved.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Chitnis was a mentor par excellence. He notably nurtured the early career of APJ Abdul Kalam, who went on to become India’s beloved President and a global icon of scientific excellence.

Chitnis is survived by his son, Chetan Chitnis, a distinguished molecular biologist and Padma Shri awardee, along with his daughter-in-law and granddaughters. His passing signals the close of a remarkable chapter in India’s space exploration history, but his vision and inspiration will continue to guide future generations.

As India mourns this pioneer, his contributions remain etched in the stars that once guided his dreams and those of an entire nation.