Dr. A.S.Pillai

Dr. Apathukatha Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished scientist and Chief Controller, R&D, DRDO is also the CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace. An electrical engineer from Madras University and management expert from Harvard Business School, he has contributed in India's major space research programmes along with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Satish Dhawan and Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam and was a core team member of the SLV-III project, India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle.

He is regarded as the Father of the BrahMos venture, a unique concept and the world leader in the family of cruise missiles. He advocates the “Mind to Market” concept which has put BrahMos on a fast track, gaining world level recognition.

One of the pillars of BrahMos, Dr. A. S. Pillai is the recipient of various awards including DRDO Scientist of the year (1988), Vikram Sarabhai Research Award (1991), Padma Shri from Government of India (2002), in recognition to his contributions to Aerospace and missile Technologies.

At APOGEE 2010, get to know this man’s journey through India’s race to space.