K. N. Ninan (scientist)

Kovoor Ninan Ninan (born 6 September 1946)[1] is a space scientist from India, known for his contributions to the development of rocket propellants, polymers and chemical systems for India's space program. Among other roles, during his career spanning over four decades in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he served as the Deputy Director[1] of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at the during his career at ISRO. He later served as an Emeritus Professor at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.[2]

Not to be confused with K. N. Ninan, Indian economist.
K. N. Ninan
Born (1946-09-06) 6 September 1946
Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
EducationUniversity of Kerala
OccupationSpace scientist
Years active1968–present
OrganizationIndian Space Research Organization
Known forRocket Propellant, Polymeric materials, Analytical Science, Thermal analysis

Personal life

Born on the 6 September 1946 at Thiruvalla in the erstwhile Travancore, K. N. Ninan did his schooling from SCS High School Thiruvalla. He obtained his bachelor's degree and Masters in Chemistry from Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla in 1966 and Maharaja's College Ernakulam in 1968 respectively, both then affiliated to the University of Kerala. He secured first rank from the university for both his degrees.[1]

While working at VSSC, he earned his doctorate degree in the field of solid state thermal decomposition kinetics from the same university in 1981, under the joint supervision of Dr. Vasant R Gowariker,[3] and Prof. C.G. Ramachandran Nair, then head of the department of Chemistry at University of Kerala.

Career

Ninan joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1968 at its Space Science & Technology Centre (presently VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram as a trainee under Dr. Vasant Gowariker, Head, Propellant Engineering Division, striving to develop indigenous composite solid propellants using the meager facilities available in those days. He superannuated in 2008 as an ‘Outstanding Scientist’ and deputy director, VSSC after serving the Space Centre in different capacities. After his superannuation, he was served as an Emeritus Professor at IIST for 5 years.[1]

During his career at ISRO, he has contributed extensively in the areas of analytical sciences and chemical systems for space applications.[1] He has over two hundred and forty publications[1][4][5] and 28 patents in his credit[1]

Awards and honors
  1. Performance Excellence Award, ISRO (2009)[6]
  2. Life Time Achievement Award, Indian Society of Analytical Scientists (2019)[7]
  3. HEMSI-M R Kurup Endowment Award, High Energy Materials Society of India (2015)[8]
  4. Melpadom Attumalil Georgekutty Merit Award, Mar Thoma Church (2012)[9]
  5. Netzsch-ITAS Award of Indian Thermal Analysis Society (1987)[10]
  6. Honorary Fellowship, HEMSI (2009)[11]
  7. Fellow, Kerala Academy of Sciences[12]

References
  1. "Maharajas College Ernakulam". maharajas.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  2. "People". www.iist.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  3. http://www.spsitvm.in/pdf/PolymerNews-Jan2015-FINAL.pdf Polymer News, Volume 15, Issue 1
  4. "Google Scholar". scholar.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/authored-by/ContribAuthorRaw/Ninan/K.+N. Wiley Author Page for Dr. K. N. Ninan
  6. "ISRO Award". groups.google.com. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  7. "KN Ninan to get lifetime achievement award". The Times of India. 2019-09-13. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  8. "GSLV Mk-IIs May Provide High-octane to ISRO Missions". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  9. Polymer News, January 2014
  10. "Fellows – Kerala Academy of Sciences". Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  11. "7th International High Energy Materials Conference and Exhibit inaugurated". oneindia.com. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  12. "Fellows – Kerala Academy of Sciences". Retrieved 2023-04-06.
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