Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsA Sivathanu PillaiA Sivathanu Pillai is presently Chief Controller (Research Development) of DRDO. Dr Pillai, has an excellent professional career as Aerospace Engineer during the last 30 years at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and DRDO, after his graduation as Electrical Engineer from Madras University in 1969. He also did his Advanced Management Programme at Haward Business School, USA and PhD from Pune University.Dr Pillai started his career with Dr Vikram Sarabhai, who was the father of the Space Programme in India. He got training in Systems Engineering of launch vehicles. He worked as a Core Team Member of SLV-3 Project with Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who was then the Project Director of the Satellite Launch Vehicle Project. Dr Pillai was a key member for the development of the 4 rocket motor stages for SLV-3 and the project was successfully completed in 1980 with the launch of SLV-3, injecting Rohini Satellite into the earth's orbit. On successful completion of the SLV project, he worked in Aerospace Dynamics and Design Group and carried out systems studies and mission analysis for ASLV, PSLV and GSLV, leading to finalisation of configuration design, technologies and management of ISRO launch vehicles. Dr Pillai then worked with Prof. Satish Dhawan, Chairman of Space Commission at ISRO HQ as his Technical Adviser for launch vehicle programmes and systems.In 1986, Dr Pillai joined the Guided Missile Programme at Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad (DRDO) as Director Planning and Programme Analysis. He evolved innovative management systems for the design and development of missiles. He specialised in indigenous development of frontier technologies, harnessing the talents available within India, through consortium effort and Technology Empowerment. Later, he became Programme Director of the Indian Missile Programme, constituting Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, and Nag, and enabled successful completion of Agni and Prithvi missile projects. He was also Associate Director of DRDL.In 1996, Dr Pillai, became Chief Controller (Research and Development) of DRDO, in charge of all missile projects, missile laboratories and launch complexes.Dr. Pillai has been a close associate of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam for more than 2 decades. He has many National and International Publications. He received awards for his contributions, such as:• DRDO Scientist of the year award in 1988• Dr Vikram Sarabhai Research Award for management system analysis in 1991.Dr Pillai is also Visiting Professor of Technology Management in Administrative Staff College of India, Member of Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Astronautical Society of India. Dr Pillai has widely travelled in India and abroad, and is responsible for many Technological Collaborations between India and other countries.