T. K. Alex
Encyclopedia
Thekkethil Kochandy Alex is the director of the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) Satellite Centre
(ISAC). T. K. Alex received his bachelors degree
in Electrical Engineering
from the Kerala University
( Gold Medallist ), Masters from IIT Madras
and Doctorate from IISc Bangalore
in Aerospace Engineering
. T. K. Alex has specialized in Electro-Optic systems and satellite Technology. Starting with the first Indian Satellite Aryabhata he has been responsible for the sensor systems in all the Indian satellites. Under his leadership the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (L E O S) was established in 1993 and from the inception he has been its director.
, Laser range sensor, and space cameras. Recently he initiated the development of MEMS technology for space sensors . Under his leadership, an advanced facility with computer controlled optics fabrication capability became a reality. He has been guiding the development of space optics for all the imaging payloads in IRS, INSAT
and Astrosat satellites. Space optics developed at LEOS are used in the high resolution cameras onboard TES and Cartosat satellites and Meteorological Radiometers of INSAT and Chandrayaan-1. Ion-beam based optical polishing system, using non-contact fabrication technique has been established. Other developments include coating processes for space optics, optical filters and thermal control materials. Other processes developed include Diamond like Carbon coating (DLC), Ion-assisted coating of Indium Tin Oxide
(ITO) and ultra black coating for optical baffles.
for the attitude control systems of IRS-I. He was the Principal Scientist for SMART camera
of Rohini-D2 satellite. As Project Director for the remote sensing
experiment conducted during first Indian Manned Space Flight
, he was involved in the training of the cosmonaut and participated in the launch campaign and data utilization projects. He was the Study Director of IRS-IC/ID satellite which carried the worlds best imaging cameras ( in the Ninetees ) for civilian application. He was the Project Director for the Advanced Sensor Development Project in which a number of detectors for space application were developed. He was Chairman, Management Council of Chandrayaan-1 Project, a mission to the Moon and guided the development of a Laser altimeter for study of the topography of Moon. Lead the project team for mission planning, and successful launch of Chandrayaan-1. The most significant result of the Chandrayaan-1 mission was the discovery of Water on Polar region of the Moon using three of its instruments.
He is directing the development of a large number of communication,remote sensing, scientific and Navigation satellite projects at ISAC. Dr.Alex is a Member of Space Commission.
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
(ISRO) Satellite Centre
Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre
The ISRO Satellite Centre is the lead ISRO centre for technology testing and spacecraft assembly integration in India.Situated in Bangalore, Karnataka, the centre has produced 23 satellites including the INSAT series, the IRS series, as well as the GSAT communication satellites....
(ISAC). T. K. Alex received his bachelors degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
from the Kerala University
Kerala University
The University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is an affiliating university located in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. It was established in 1937, long before the birth of the state of Kerala in India...
( Gold Medallist ), Masters from IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is an engineering and technology school in Chennai in southern India. It is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India...
and Doctorate from IISc Bangalore
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
in Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
. T. K. Alex has specialized in Electro-Optic systems and satellite Technology. Starting with the first Indian Satellite Aryabhata he has been responsible for the sensor systems in all the Indian satellites. Under his leadership the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (L E O S) was established in 1993 and from the inception he has been its director.
Development of Sensors and Optics
T. K. Alex, is responsible for the development of sensors like IR earth sensors , sun sensors, star trackers, magnetic sensors, temperature and pressure sensors. These resulted in spin off technologies which have been transferred to many industries. Other advanced sensors developed include Fiber optic GyroFibre optic gyroscope
A fibre optic gyroscope senses changes in orientation, thus performing the function of a mechanical gyroscope. However its principle of operation is instead based on the interference of light which has passed through a coil of optical fibre which can be as long as 5 km.Two beams from a laser...
, Laser range sensor, and space cameras. Recently he initiated the development of MEMS technology for space sensors . Under his leadership, an advanced facility with computer controlled optics fabrication capability became a reality. He has been guiding the development of space optics for all the imaging payloads in IRS, INSAT
Indian National Satellite System
INSAT or the Indian National Satellite System is a series of multipurpose Geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations....
and Astrosat satellites. Space optics developed at LEOS are used in the high resolution cameras onboard TES and Cartosat satellites and Meteorological Radiometers of INSAT and Chandrayaan-1. Ion-beam based optical polishing system, using non-contact fabrication technique has been established. Other developments include coating processes for space optics, optical filters and thermal control materials. Other processes developed include Diamond like Carbon coating (DLC), Ion-assisted coating of Indium Tin Oxide
Indium tin oxide
Indium tin oxide is a solid solution of indium oxide and tin oxide , typically 90% In2O3, 10% SnO2 by weight. It is transparent and colorless in thin layers while in bulk form it is yellowish to grey...
(ITO) and ultra black coating for optical baffles.
Management Activities
Alex contributed significantly in configuring most of the Indian satellites. He was the Head of the Sensor Systems Division of ISAC and Project managerProject manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
for the attitude control systems of IRS-I. He was the Principal Scientist for SMART camera
Smart camera
Although there are many definitions of smart cameras offered by the media, camera manufacturers and developers, still no binding definition exists. In a field where terms are often defined by their predominant usage, most material in this article is based on the term's most predominant usage...
of Rohini-D2 satellite. As Project Director for the remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
experiment conducted during first Indian Manned Space Flight
Human spaceflight
Human spaceflight is spaceflight with humans on the spacecraft. When a spacecraft is manned, it can be piloted directly, as opposed to machine or robotic space probes and remotely-controlled satellites....
, he was involved in the training of the cosmonaut and participated in the launch campaign and data utilization projects. He was the Study Director of IRS-IC/ID satellite which carried the worlds best imaging cameras ( in the Ninetees ) for civilian application. He was the Project Director for the Advanced Sensor Development Project in which a number of detectors for space application were developed. He was Chairman, Management Council of Chandrayaan-1 Project, a mission to the Moon and guided the development of a Laser altimeter for study of the topography of Moon. Lead the project team for mission planning, and successful launch of Chandrayaan-1. The most significant result of the Chandrayaan-1 mission was the discovery of Water on Polar region of the Moon using three of its instruments.
He is directing the development of a large number of communication,remote sensing, scientific and Navigation satellite projects at ISAC. Dr.Alex is a Member of Space Commission.