Quick Facts
Biography
Dr. George Joseph has made significant contribution to the development of remote sensing technology in India, especially in the field of earth observation sensors. He is rightfully considered the pioneer of satellite based imaging sensors in India.
Early life
Dr. George Joseph, born on 4 August 1938 to Advocate MG Joseph and Alice (Kaipanattu family, Puthuppally, Kerala), hails from Chengannur, Vydhianveetil family (a branch of Kaduvettoor family), Kerala, India. After completing schooling he joined St.Berchmans' College Changanassery and was alumni of Alagappa Chettiar college, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu and University College, Trivandrum Kerala. He served as lecturer in Union Christian College, Aluva, Kerala and at CMS college, Kottayam,Kerala. Afterwards he was a trainee at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai.
Dr. Joseph is married to Mercy (Kolathu Puliyelil family, Maramon) and they have two sons Joseph (Gibu) and Mathews (Reji).
Research career
Dr. Joseph started his research career in 1962 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR), Mumbai, where he was involved in the study of cosmic rays. Based on his research work at TIFR he was awarded PhD degree by the Bombay University. A novel detector system designed by him was flown on the first Indian satellite Aryabhata (satellite) to detect solar neutrons.
Contributions to the Indian Space Programme
In 1973, Dr. Joseph joined the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad-one of the centers of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),and initiated the development of remote sensing technology particularly sensors of various types. He has been the guiding force in the design and development of all the earth observation cameras on board Indian Remote Sensing Satellite(IRS) and INSAT. He served ISRO in various capacities including Director, Space Applications Centre and took keen interest and initiative to ensure the fruits of space technology reach common man. One of the noteworthy contributions of Dr. Joseph is the study report on Indian Mission to Moon in the capacity as Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force.
Dr. Joseph has served in a number of national and international committees/organizations including President of Technical Commission -I of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) during 1996-2000 and Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), (affiliated to the United Nations), with headquarters at Dehradun during 2006-2009.
Fellowship/ Membership of professional bodies
- Fellow Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc)
- Fellow National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc)
- Fellow Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE)
- Fellow Indian Geophysical Union
- Fellow Gujarat Science Academy
- Fellow Indian Meteorological Society
- Fellow Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS)
- Fellow Astronautical Society of India
Important positions held
| 2006–2009 | Director, Center for Space Science &Technology Education in Asia & the Pacific (affiliated to the UN) |
| 1998–2003 | Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professor (ISRO) |
| 1994–1998 | Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad |
| 1990–1994 | Associate Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad |
| 1985–1994 | Dy. Director (Remote Sensing) Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad |
| 1975–1985 | Head, Sensor Development Division Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad |
| 1970–1973 | Fellow, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay |
| 1959–1961 | Lecturer in Physics, Union Christian College, Alwaye (Affiliated to University of Kerala) |
Special Responsibilities/assignments (international /national)
| 2004–2005 | Member, Governing Council, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad |
| 2003–2004 | Member of the International Academy of Astronautics Study Team on Space to promote peace – initial focus on reconstruction of Afghanistan. |
| 2002–2004 | President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing |
| 1999–2001 | President, Gujarat Science Academy |
| 1997–2000 | Member, Research Council, National Institute of Oceanography |
| 1996–2000 | President, Technical Commission-I, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) |
| 1996–1999 | President, Indian Society of Geomatics |
| 1994–1997 | Member, Research Council, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Calcutta |
| 1994–1996 | President, Indian Society of Remote Sensing |
| 1989–1998 | Member, Governing Body of Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum |
| 1988–1991 | Member-Secretary, Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) |
| 1985–1988 | Member, Governing Council, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA),Bangalore |
National Recognition
Padma Bhushan – 1999 by Government of India
Other Awards
- Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) award -2009 for lifetime contribution in Ocean Science and technologies
- Geospatial Technologies Lifetime Achievement award- 2008
- Outstanding Achievement award by ISRO-2008
- Aryabhata Award instituted by Astronautical Society of India for outstanding lifetime contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India-2007
- Bhaskara Award – 1997: Instituted by Indian Society of Remote Sensing for outstanding lifetime contribution
- Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Foundation Award for Science and Technology - 1987 the discipline of Space and Aerospace
- SICO - National Academy of Sciences Award for Instrumentation-1986
Books Authored
- George Joseph, Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, University Press (India) Pvt. Ltd., 1st edn., 2003
- George Joseph, Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, University Press (India) Pvt. Ltd., 2nd edn., 2005
- Building Earth Observation Cameras, Published by CRC Press, 1st edition, 2015