1994 Frank J Malina Award (International Astronautical Federation) 1996 Vikram Sarabhai Medal of COSPAR 1997 Outstanding Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics for the Book Space Technology for Sustainable Development 2000 Eduard Dolezal Award of ISPRS 2004 Space News magazine named him as one of the Top 10 International personalities who have made a substantial difference in civil, commerce and military space in the world since 1989 2005 Theodore Von Karman Award which is the highest Award of the International Academy of Astronautics. 2013 Inducted into Satellite Hall of Fame by Society of Satellite Professionals International' 2016 Inducted into Hall of Fame by International Astronautical Federation. Honours People's President and distinguished scientist Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam had an effective association with Prof. U. R. Rao. While Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam was President, he presented the Life Time Achievement Award constituted by ISRO and Astronautical Society of India (ASI) to Prof. Rao for his outstanding contribution to the organization. D. Litt. (Hon. Causa) from Kannada University, Hampi D.Sc (Hons. Causa) from the Universities of: 1976 Mysore 1976 Rahuri 1981 Calcutta 1984 Mangalore 1992 University of Bologna (Italy) 1992 Banaras 1992 Udaipur 1993 Tirupati (SV) 1994 Hyderabad (JN) 1994 Madras (Anna University) 1994 Roorkee University 1995 Punjabi University, Patiala 1997 Shri Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur 1999 Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 2001 D.Litt. (Hons. Causa) from Kannada University, Hampi 2002 Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut 2005 UP Technical University, Lucknow 2006 Viswesvaraiah Technical University, Belgaum 2007 Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi Legacy On March 10, 2021, a Google Doodle was made in honor of his 89th birthday. Fellowships / Memberships Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy Fellow of National Science Academy Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences Fellow of the International Academy of Astronautics Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering Fellow of the Astronautical Society of India Hon. Fellow of the Aeronautical Society Distinguished Fellow Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers Hon. Fellow of Indian National Cartographic Association Fellow of Broadcasting and Engineering Society of India Hon. Fellow Aero Medical Society of India Distinguished Fellow of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad Fellow of World Academy of Arts & Sciences, USA. Fellow of International Aeronautical Federation (IAF) proposed. Professional Activities in International Arena 1986-1992 Vice President, International Astronautical Federation 1988 to date President, Committee for Liaison with