IISc to Present Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will present its Distinguished Alumnus Award to aerospace researcher Maruthi S. Akella on December 19, 2026. The award recognizes his contributions to lunar exploration and will be presented alongside three other distinguished alumni.
Akella’s Research Contributions
Maruthi S. Akella’s research group played a key role in the onboard guidance algorithm for Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 lunar lander mission. This mission achieved the first US lunar landing in over 50 years, which occurred in February 2024. In October 2024, the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature officially named a minor planet, 5376 Maruthiakella, after him.
Academic Background and Recognition
Akella earned his Master of Engineering degree from IISc in 1994. He currently holds the Cockrell Family Chair in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. In 2025, he was named a VAIBHAV Fellow by India’s Ministry of Science and Technology, becoming the first recipient in aerospace technologies.
Additional Awards
Akella’s 2026 awards include the AIAA von Kármán Lecture in Astronautics Award and the Joe J. King Professional Engineering Achievement Award.
Other Honorees
Alongside Maruthi S. Akella, IISc will honor four other distinguished alumni: B.S. Manjunath, Dipankar Das Sarma, Jagannath Nayak, and Rajat Moona.
Ceremony Details
The ceremony to present the awards is scheduled for December 19, 2026.
Source: GK Today.
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