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News: Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal – 2026 for her contributions to space research.
About COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal – 2026
- COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal is an international medal that recognizes outstanding contributions to space research by scientists working for developing countries.
- Awarded by: It is awarded jointly by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Established: The medal was constituted in 1990 in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India’s space programme.
- Frequency: The medal is presented biennially.
- Eligibility Requirements: A candidate’s relevant work must have been carried out mainly during the five-year period ending one year before the COSPAR Scientific Assembly where the medal is presented.
- The award is open to candidates from any country.
- 2026 Recipient:
- Awardee: Annapurni Subramaniam received the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal – 2026.
- Contribution: She was recognized for her work in stellar physics, including studies on star clusters, nearby galaxies, and for serving as the calibration scientist for the Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard AstroSat.
- Significance: She is the fourth Indian to receive this medal and the first Indian woman scientist to receive this honour.
- She is also the third female recipient of the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal.
- Other Indian Recipients: Other Indian recipients of this medal are UR Rao (1996), Gurbax Singh Lakhina (2014) and Anil Bharadwaj (2024).
About Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
- Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) is an international scientific body affiliated with the International Science Council (ISC).
- Establishment: It was established in 1958 .
- Objectives: It promotes scientific research in space at the international level, encourages the exchange of scientific results and information, and provides an open forum for scientists to discuss issues related to space research.
- Scientific Assembly: COSPAR organizes its Scientific Assembly every two years, bringing together about 2,000–3,000 scientists from around the world.
