THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO scientist and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre's former director Dr S Ramakrishnan(70) passed away in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. His funeral will take place on Wednesday afternoon at 12 pm at Puthankotta. He is survived by wife Anuradha, daughter Harini and son Shyam Sundar.

A native of Chennai, Dr Ramakrishnan joined VSSC in 1972. He completed graduation in Mechanical Engineering from College of Engineering, Guindy and post-graduation in Aeronautics from IIT Madras. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Padma Shri. He had also served as a member of the International Council of Aerospace Scientists and Chairman of the Flight Readiness Review Committee on ISRO launches.