V. P. Balagangadharan

Vannadil Puthiyaveettil "V. P." Balagangadharan (born 20 January 1950) is a space scientist, author, and speaker from India, known for his contributions to propellant research,^[1] technology transfer,^[2] and science communication. He has worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation for over four decades in various roles.

V. P. Balagangadharan
Born	Vannadil Puthiyaveettil Balagangadharan (1950-01-20) 20 January 1950 (age 75) Payyanur, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Master of Science in Chemistry
Alma mater	University of Kerala, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Years active	1971–present
Organization	Indian Space Research Organization
Awards	Kerala Science Literature Award, 2015

Education

After finishing his schooling at AV Smaraka Govt. Higher Secondary School, Karivellur, and Pre-Degree from Payyanur College, Balagangadharan joined Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode in 1967, from where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1970. While working at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, he completed his Master of Science in Chemistry from Pune University in 1989.

Career

Balagangadharan started his career as an Analytical Chemist at Bombay Oil Industries, Angamaly in 1971. In 1972, he joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre as a Scientific Assistant in its Propellant Engineering Division, later Analytical & Spectroscopy Division. After almost four decades of service, in 2010, he superannuated as the Group Head, Technology Transfer and Documentation Division at the centre. Post superannuation, he held the emeritus role as Prof. Brahm Prakash Scientist^[3]—two stints, separated by a one year role as Consultant and Advisor (Media & Communications)—till 2014.^[1]

He was formerly the Chairman^[4] of the Patent Advisory Committee of the Government of Kerala.

Science communication

He has over 30^[5] research publications^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]} in the area of Analytical chemistry. He has delivered over three hundred talks, and shows on All India Radio and Doordarshan.^[1][12] He has lectured across India on India's space history and Intellectual Property Rights.^[13][14][2] He has also written many articles^[15][16][17] in the print media on popular science, space research and IPR.

Books

• Rockets and Beyond, 2012, Vigyan Prasar^[18][19]
• Mangalyaan:Oru Shastragnante Kurippukal, 2015, Jnaneswari Publications^[20]
• From Fishing Hamlet To Red Planet, 2016, HarperCollins^[21]
• Indian Bahirakasa Gaveshana Charithram, 2018, DC Books^[22]
• Chandrayaan-2, 2019, DC Books^[22]
• Ever Upwards: ISRO in Images, 2019, Orient Blackswan^[23]
• Panthranduper Chandranil, 2021, Priyatha Books
• Kuttikalude Rocket Pusthakam, 2021, Jnaneswari Publications^[24][25]
• Chinnalu Kanda Rocket, 2022, GV Books^[26]
• Vikram Sarabhai Rocketil Oru Jeevitham, 2022, GV Books^[27]
• Indian Rocketinte Shilpikal, 2024, DC Books^[28]
• Sunita Williams-inte Bahirakasha Yathrakal, 2025, Jnaneswari Publications

Awards and honours

Kerala State Science Literature Award, 2015, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment^[20] Fellow, Kerala Academy of Sciences^[1]

HEMSI-MR Kurup Endowment Award, 2021 for contributions to the area of solid propellants ^[29]