The News Minute | January 13, 2015 | 8:00 am ISTDistinguished scientist A.S.Kiran Kumar has been appointed as the secretary, department of space and chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, an official statement said on Monday.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Kiran Kumar's appointment for a period of three years on contract basis.A Padma Shri awardee, Kiran Kumar joined ISRO in 1975 and has contributed to Indian space programmes like the Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission and also to earlier programmes like Bhaskara satellite.He received his Physics (Honours) Degree from National College, Bangalore University in 1971. He obtained his Masters Degree in Electronics from Bangalore University in 1973 and thereafter M. Tech Degree in Physical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) in 1975.IANSTweetFollow @thenewsminute