Space scientist and former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman Udupi Ramachandra Rao died at his Bengaluru home in the early hours of Monday. The 85-year-old had been suffering from age-related ailments. He is survived by his wife and children.

Rao was given with the Padma Bhushan in 1976 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017 for his contribution to the field of space technology. He was the Isro chairman between 1984 and 1994 and was behind several successful launches, including India’s first satellite Aryabhata and the Mars Orbiter Mission.