JoannaCostantino at 12:01, 8 February 2026

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{{Short description|Indian space scientist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = M. C. Dathan
| image = Madhavan Chandradathan.jpg
| caption = Chandradathan in 2015
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Varkala]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = Space scientist
| known_for = [[Indian Space Program]] [[Chandrayaan-1|Chandrayaan]] [[Mars Orbiter Mission]]
| yearsactive =
| spouse =
| domesticpartner =
| residence =
| work_institution = [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre|VSSC]] [[Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre|LPSC]] [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|SDSC]] [[Government of Kerala]]
| alma_mater = [[Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra|Birla Institute of Technology]] [[Government Engineering College, Thrissur|Govt. Engg. College, Thrissur]] [[Sree Narayana College, Varkala|SN College, Varkala]]
| children =
| influences =
| influenced =
| website =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2014)
}}

'''M. C. Dathan''' is an Indian space scientist and former director of the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]] (VSSC).<ref name="Kaumudi" /><ref name="Kerala9" /><ref name="News Hunt" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/k-sivan-to-take-over-as-vssc-director/article7262484.ece|title=MC Dathan retiring as VSSC director|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=2016-09-30}}</ref> The [[Government of India]] honoured him, in 2014, by awarding him the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology.<ref name="Padma 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |title=Padma 2014 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=25 January 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101141/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> In May 2016, the [[Government of Kerala]] appointed MC Dathan as the scientific advisor to chief minister.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/VSSC-former-director-MC-Dathan-to-take-charge-as-scientific-advisor-to-Kerala-CM/articleshow/52590650.cms|title=VSSC former director MC Dathan to take charge as scientific advisor to Kerala CM | date=4 June 2016 | newspaper=Times of India|first=Laxmi|last=Prasanna|access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="keralacm.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralacm.gov.in/advisors-chief-minister-kerala-pinarayi-vijayan/| title=Advisors to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan|access-date=2016-09-30}}</ref>

==Biography==
Madhavan Chandradathan was born to Madhavan and Vasumathy, in [[Varkala]].<ref name="Kaumudi">{{cite web | url=http://www.kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=51021 | title=Kaumudi | publisher=Kaumudi | date=5 June 2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="Kerala9">{{cite web | url=http://www.kerala9.com/news-category/news/kerala-news/m-chandradathan-new-vssc-director | title=Kerala9 | publisher=Kerala9 | date=6 July 2014 | access-date=28 October 2014 | archive-date=28 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028184857/http://www.kerala9.com/news-category/news/kerala-news/m-chandradathan-new-vssc-director | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="News Hunt">{{cite web | url=http://m.newshunt.com/india/english-newspapers/kaumudiglobal/kerala/chandradathan-new-vssc-director_29762668/c-in-l-english-n-kglobal-ncat-Kerala | title=News Hunt | publisher=News Hunt | date=5 June 2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> He graduated in chemical engineering<ref name="Telegraph India" /> from the [[Government Engineering College, Thrissur]] in 1971 and secured a master's degree (MTech) from the [[Birla Institute of Technology]] in 1985.<ref name="ISRO profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/scripts/pressreleasein.aspx?Jan01_2013 | title=ISRO profile | publisher=[[Indian Space Research Organisation]] | date=2014 | access-date=28 October 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Chandradathan started his career in 1972, by joining the [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) where he worked for the [[SLV-3]] project, the development of solid propellant formulations. He also contributed to the realisation of solid motors for [[SLV-3]], [[ASLV]] and [[PSLV]] projects.<ref name="ISRO profile" /> Later, Chandradathan took up the assignment of developing rocket nozzles primarily for solid motors. He became the head of the ablative nozzle production unit in 2000, where he remained till 2004. During this period, his team developed the flex nozzle for the S200 motor and the S200 booster for the [[GSLV]] Mk-III project.<ref name="ISRO profile" />

He was promoted to Chief Executive of the [[Solid propellants|Solid Propellant]] Plant (SPROB) for the PSLV and GSLV boosters. In this position, Chandradrathan oversaw the establishment of a new Solid Propellant Plant (SPP), which was commissioned in 2008.<ref name="SPP">{{cite web | url=http://www.isro.org/newsletters/scripts/newslettersin.aspx?Page4jan2009jun2009 | title=SPP | publisher=ISRO | date=2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>

Chandradathan became the Director of the [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR]] (SDSC), in 2008.<ref name="ISRO profile" /><ref name="India Today">{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modern-space-complex-to-come-up-in-keralas-ponmudi-hills-59807-2009-11-01 | title=India Today | publisher=India Today | date=2 November 2009 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="SHAR">{{cite web | url=http://www.airspacemag.com/space/india-aims-for-the-moon-85887310/?page=1&no-ist | title=SHAR | publisher=Airspace magazine | date=20 October 2008 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> During his tenure as the Director, Chandradathan is reported to have contributed to the improvement of production levels of solid boosters. He is also credited with two ground tests for S200 segments of the GSLV Mk-III, expansion of the facilities, and the development of a new Mission Control Centre and Launch Control Centre.<ref name="ISRO profile" />

In January 2013, he became the Director of the [[Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre]] (LPSC),<ref name="LPSC">{{cite web | url=http://www.lpsc.gov.in/ | title=LPSC | publisher=LPSC | date=2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> which controlled the Thiruvananthapuram, Mahendragiri and Bangalore campuses of the ISRO.<ref name="Kaumudi" /><ref name="Kerala9" /><ref name="News Hunt" /><ref name="ISRO profile" /> In June 2014, he was made the Director of the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]] (VSSC).<ref name="Kaumudi" /><ref name="Kerala9" /><ref name="News Hunt" />

He was also the head of the launch authorisation board of [[Chandrayaan-1]] project.<ref name="Telegraph India">{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081023/jsp/nation/story_10008285.jsp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027052627/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081023/jsp/nation/story_10008285.jsp | url-status=dead | archive-date=27 October 2008 | title=Telegraph India | publisher=Telegraph India | date=23 October 2008 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>

In May 2016, the [[Government of Kerala]] appointed MC Dathan as the scientific advisor to chief minister [[Pinarayi Vijayan]].<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/><ref name="keralacm.gov.in"/>

== Honours ==
Chandradrathan is a recipient of many honours and awards, including ''Performance Excellence Award'' (2009) from [[ISRO]], ''Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award'' (2009) from the [[Institution of Engineers (India)]] (IEI) and ''Individual Service Award'' (2006) from ISRO.<ref name="ISRO profile" />

In 2014, the [[Government of India]] honoured him with the civilian award of [[Padma Shri]].<ref name="Padma 2014" />

Chandradathan has attended many seminars and conferences to give keynote addresses.<ref name="Lecture">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article23430.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094525/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article23430.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 March 2016 | title=Lecture | publisher=[[Indian Express]] | date=15 January 2009 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> He has also published many articles in such journals of repute as the [[International Astronautical Federation]].<ref name="Article">{{cite web | url=http://www.iafastro.net/iac/archive/browse/IAC-12/D2/2/16121/ | title=Article | publisher=IAFastro | date=2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]]
* [[Indian Space Research Organisation]]
* [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]]
{{portal|India}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9ZBaltwOp8 | title=Congratulation to all ISRO team: M Chandradathan | publisher=YouTube video | date=5 November 2013 | access-date=28 October 2014}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web | url=http://www.iafastro.net/iac/archive/tree/IAC-12/D2/2/IAC-12,D2,2,13.p1,x16121.brief.pdf | title=Investigations of Thrust Oscillations in Large Segmented Solid Rocket Motors During Ground Tests | publisher=International Astronautical Federation | date=2014 | access-date=28 October 2014}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=S. Ramakrishnan}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director, [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]]|years=2014 - 2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[[K. Sivan]]}}
{{end}}

{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}
{{2000s Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandradathan, Madhavan}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:ISRO people]]
[[Category:Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani alumni]]
[[Category:Indian aerospace engineers]]
[[Category:Engineers from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Varkala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian engineers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Madhavan Chandradathan - Revision history

JoannaCostantino at 12:01, 8 February 2026