Dr. Ranganath Navalgund, is currently Honorary Distinguished Professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation, Bengaluru. His scientific contributions are in the broad area of earth observation systems, science and applications. He was Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor at ISRO (2012-17). As Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre (2001-2005) and the Space Applications Centre (2005-2012), the two major centres of ISRO, he has over seen development of electro-optical and microwave sensors for Indian earth observation and planetary science missions, communication and navigation payloads flown onboard Indian satellites and has significantly contributed to major space application programmes. He has represented ISRO/India in UN-COPUOS, GEO, CEOS and has interfaced with several space agencies of major space faring nations in a leadership role. He was the President of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Commission VII (2000-2004). He is an Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences.