India (Commonwealth Union)_ Chandrayaan-3, India’s ambitious satellite project, represents the culmination of four years of dedicated effort, even as the nation navigated the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. S Somanath, the esteemed Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), reveals that nearly 1,000 engineers and scientists played pivotal roles in realizing the approximately ₹700 crore mission. Among the brilliant minds instrumental in bringing Chandrayaan-3 to fruition are S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO; Mr Veeramuthuvel, project director; Kalpana K; M Vanitha, Deputy Director; S Unnikrishnan Nair; Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, Senior Scientist at ISRO; and M Sankaran.
S Somanath, an adept aerospace engineer, played a vital role in designing the Bahuballi rocket, also known as Launch Vehicle Mark-3, which propelled Chandrayaan-3 into its orbit. Regarded as an accomplished leader within ISRO, he facilitated the comprehensive testing of the Chandrayaan-3 satellite before its launch. An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, Somanath possesses proficiency in Sanskrit and has even acted in a Sanskrit film titled “Yaanam.” His name, Somanath, carries the meaning of “Lord of the Moon.”
Mr. Veeramuthuvel, the project director for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, has dedicated the last four years of his life to India’s third lunar endeavor. Armed with a Masters of Technology degree from Chennai, he had previously been involved in the Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan missions. His deep understanding of the Vikram lander, which faced challenges during the 2019 mission, has substantially contributed to the development of a sturdier Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Kalpana K admirably steered the Chandrayaan-3 team forward amidst the formidable adversities posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. An engineer committed to India’s satellite program, she actively participated in both the Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan missions.
M Vanitha, the Deputy Director of the UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru, played a pivotal role as the project director for the Chandrayaan-2 mission. As a skilled electronics systems engineer, she made history by becoming the first woman in India to lead a lunar mission. Her profound insights from Chandrayaan-2 have significantly contributed to the successful realization of Chandrayaan-3.
S Unnikrishnan Nair, the esteemed Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), played an instrumental role in the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark-III, now known as Launch Vehicle Mark-III.
Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, renowned as India’s ‘rocket woman,’ was at the helm of the entire Chandrayaan-3 mission. As an esteemed senior scientist at ISRO, she had previously served as the Deputy Operations Director for India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Mangalyaan. Her illustrious career at ISRO, dating back to 1997, includes remarkable contributions to numerous prestigious missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, and several others.
M Sankaran, heralded as the powerhouse of ISRO, boasts unparalleled expertise in designing innovative power systems and solar arrays that empower satellites. With over three decades of satellite-making experience, his mark can be found on Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and Chandrayaan-2 satellites. Responsible for meticulously testing the Chandrayaan-3 satellite under various temperature conditions, he also contributed to the creation of a lunar surface replica to assess the lander’s durability. His academic background includes a Master’s degree in Physics. A luminary in liquid propulsion engines, the Vikram lander’s soft landing maneuvers bear the hallmark of his guidance. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and a specialist in cryogenic engines, he has played an integral role in most of ISRO’s rockets, including the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 that facilitated Chandrayaan-3’s journey.
