Dr Prem Shanker Goel is presently Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi. Before taking over as Secretary, Department of Ocean Development (now Ministry of Earth Sciences) in 2005, Dr Goel has been the Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore.  Dr. Goe1 has specialized in Applied Electronics & Servomechanism, and their application to address problems of satellites.  Dr Goe1 has been very deeply involved with investigations related to 'Satellite Attitude Control System' - the key element for the progress of ISRO satellites from the simple spinner (Aryabhata) to Spin Axis Orientation Control (Bhaskara I & II), all magnetic control systems (Rohini series), 3-Axis stabilized application satellites (APPLE and SROSS), high stability satellite in lower earth orbit (IRS), multi-mission geostationary satellite (INSAT-II) and high resolution imaging Technology Experiments Satellite (TES).  Dr Goel received his Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Jodhpur, Masters of Engineering Degree in Applied Mechanics and Servomechanism from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and received his Doctorate Degree from Bangalore University.

Dr. Goe1 has evolved the concepts for realization, testing, simulations and successful operations of doing remote sensing from spinning satellite and suitably modified the spin-up system of Aryabhata by incorporating spin axis orientation system in the Bhaskara-I and Bhaskara-II satellites. The close loop control for spinning satellites was developed by Dr. Goe1 for the first time in the world, for maintaining spin axis perpendicular to orbital plane, in these satellites. In addition, he developed the magnetic bias control technique for compensating the orbit regression, hence, extending the mission life many fold. Later, he developed magnetic control for spin rate and spin axis orientation for Rohini satellites. RS-D2 was the first small (40 kg) magnetically controlled spinning satellite in the world to collect the earth imagery. 

Dr. Goe1 developed the challenging 3-axis stabilization technology for the first time, for APPLE satellite, a major breakthrough for ISRO. A new technique of momentum dumping and nutation control using magnetic torquer for momentum biased satellite was invented and imp1emented in APPLE.

He contributed to the 'step-and-stare' concept development for high resolution imaging, and very significantly contributed to overall technology development for TES which is a landmark mission bringing 1m resolution capability to the country. The high power INSAT-4A satellite puts ISRO/India to the very high end of communication satellite technology. IRS-P6 launched in October 2003 and Carto-1 launched in 2005 has put ISRO/India in the first ranking nations for Remote Sensing, much ahead of Japan, Russia and even Europe. The Spacecraft Recovery Experiment involving re-entry has been a very unique and novel concept evolved by him. The high resolution and agile spot imaging satellite Carto-2 has been conceived and developed under Dr. Goel’s guidance.

Dr. Goe1 was the key enabler in making IRS-P3 to look at stars for X-ray Astronomy by developing quaternion based attitude manoeuvring. He oversaw the payload definition of first dedicated science mission, the multi-wave length observatory "Astrosat' of India. He was the key person to evolve the Chandrayaan-I mission, first as technology enabler, addressing specific issues on mission planning and lunar gravitational modeling and later in selecting set of payloads, which has put India in the front position with respect to lunar sciences.

Dr. Goel’s foray into ocean/atmospheric related aspects began while he chaired the Committee on Microwave Remote Sensing Program, and prioritized development of sensors and space segments. Based on this, the Oceansat-I (IRS-P4) was developed with Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and Multispectral Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) and the applications like coastal monitoring, fishery forecast and sea surface temperature were operationalized. Later, he pursued the ocean-atmosphere interaction related issues while finalizing payloads like Radiation Monitor Scanning Microwave Radiometer in 8 frequencies etc., for Megha-Tropiques, jointly with CNES.

In addition to Satellite Technology and overall program management, Dr. Goe1 has been actively involved in Launch Vehicle activity. He was Failure Analysis Committee Member of ASLV and PSLV, Review Committee Member for Avionics and Guidance Control System Design and FRR/LAB Member for all the launch vehicles. 

Dr. Goel is Chairman, ICG/Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System, UNESCO/UN; Member, Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C), New Delhi;  Chairman, Governing Council, NIOT, Chennai; NCAOR, Goa; and INCOIS, Hyderabad; Chairman, Research Council, NIO, Goa; Chairman, Apex Committee of RV-TIFAC - Hydrogen Economy Technology Program;  and Member, Management Board, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, TIFR, Pune. 

Dr. Goel is a member of several important scientific Academies, both in India and abroad.  He is presently President, Indian National Academy of Engineering; President, Association for Advancement of Fault-Tolerant & Autonomous Systems and Vice President, Aeronautical Society of India, New Delhi.  He is a Fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad; Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore; Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi; Institution of Electronic & Telecommunication Engineers, New Delhi; Astronautical Society of India, Bangalore and Third World Academy of Sciences.  He is Honorary Fellow, Electrochemical Society of India, Bangalore and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Mumbai.  He is also Member, International Academy of Astronautics, Paris.

Dr. Goel has been conferred with several awards including Padma Shri by the Government of India;  Hari Om Ashram Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award in System Analysis & Management; Astronautical Society of India Award in the field of Spacecraft & Related Technologies; VASVIK Research Award for Electrical Sciences and Technology; Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Space & Aerospace Technologies; Vigyan Gaurav Samman for advancement of Science & Technology by the Government of Uttar Pradesh; Ramanujam Award of Systems Society of India; GP Chatterjee Memorial Award for design and development of satellite technologies by Indian Science Congress Association; FIE Foundation Award and  National Systems Gold Medal Award.

Currently, he is shaping the newly organized Ministry of Earth Sciences as a scientific body, and bringing about structural changes in the atmospheric sciences and services including meteorology, Agrometeorology, support to civil aviation, ocean sciences and technology, ocean resources, and providing a framework of conducting long term research into the Earth Systems like coupled systems, long term impact of technology options, precursors for earthquakes, long term hazards and addressing issues related to long term sustainable development.