Veteran Indian space scientist U.R. Rao dead

Bengaluru: Veteran Indian space scientist U.R. Rao passed away here on Monday, an ISRO official confirmed. He was 85.

"Rao passed away at his residence in the city's eastern suburb at around 3 a.m., after prolonged illness and age-related health issues," the Indian Space Research Organisation official told IANS.

Rao was the ISRO chairman ofor a decade from 1984 to 1994.

Expressing grief over his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Rao's contribution to India's space research will always be remembered.

"Saddened by the demise of renowned scientist, Professor U.R. Rao. His remarkable contribution to India's space programme will never be forgotten," Modi said in a tweet.