7 Key Scientists Behind The Successful Launch Of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission

India has made history by leading the way in lunar exploration by conquering the mysterious southern pole of the moon. With this, India joins a small group of countries that have successfully soft-landed on the lunar surface. Before India, the US, the former Soviet Union, and China also achieved the same accomplishment.

Not only this, but Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander also achieved a faultless touchdown at precisely 18:04 local time (12:34 GMT). The development ushered in a turning point not only for the country but also for the whole science community. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was attending the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, couldn’t hold his excitement and declared that “India is now on the moon.”

Nonetheless, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), made some very noteworthy comments. He stressed that the successful landing was the result of the efforts of many ISRO scientists over the course of several generations. Because of their tireless devotion and unwavering efforts, these scientists deserve the highest praise for their enormous feat.

So, here are the seven important pillars of the Chandrayaan-3 mission:

1. S Somanath – Chairman of ISRO

S Somanath, an accomplished aerospace engineer, currently holds the esteemed position of chairman at the Indian Space Research Organization. Significantly, he played a crucial role in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 expedition. His guidance enabled the spacecraft to successfully execute a soft lunar landing, which was a spectacular achievement.

Somanath began his tenure as ISRO Chairman in January of the previous year, taking over from a former director at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center. That emphasizes how knowledgeable he is on the subject and why he was chosen for his position.

2. P Veeramuthuvel – Project Director of Chandrayaan-3

P Veeramuthuvel, a Tamil Nadu native, joined the ISRO team in 2014. After serving as the deputy director of ISRO’s Space Infrastructure Programme, this skilled space scientist was appointed project director for Chandrayaan-3 in 2019.

Veeramuthuvel, who holds a postgraduate degree from IIT Madras, also significantly impacted the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

3. Kalpana Kalahasti – Deputy Project Director of Chandrayaan-3

Kalpana Kalahasti, an aeronautical engineer originally from Bangalore, started her career with ISRO as a scientist in 2003. Significantly, she took up the post of Chandrayaan-3’s deputy project director, in 2019.

As Kalpana led the expedition through the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic, guaranteeing its continuous advancement, her unwavering devotion was evident. Her resume lists her contributions to important missions like Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan.

4. M Sankaran – Director of U R Rao Satellite Centre

M Sankaran is a renowned senior scientist who has worked with ISRO for a significant amount of time. He has held the important position of Director of the prestigious ISRO satellite-building facility U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) since 2021.

On several fronts, including solar panels, power systems, satellite positioning systems, and illustrious missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, Sankaran’s skill has made an enduring impression.

5. S Unnikrishnan Nair – Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

S Unnikrishnan Nair is currently taking on the crucial position of Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center. Having only recently taken over as director, he supports forward-thinking projects and is currently leading innovation in the aerospace industry.

Importantly, Nair is credited with creating the Human Space Flight Center at ISRO. In addition to leading the Gaganyaan Project team, he also founded the Bengaluru Astronaut Training Center.

6. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava – Senior Scientist at ISRO

Dr. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, who is from the Uttar Pradesh city of Lucknow, has attained the prestigious title of “India’s Rocket Woman. She occupies a prestigious senior scientist position in the senior management of ISRO.

Notably, she spearheaded the Chandrayaan-3 mission, adding another gem to her portfolio. Dr. Ritu has previously taken up the crucial position of Chandrayaan-2 mission director and has also worked as the Mangalyaan mission’s deputy operations director.

7. Mohana Kumar – Mission Director of Chandrayaan-3

S Mohana Kumar is a prominent scientist with extensive experience and a valuable member of the esteemed ISRO team. Importantly, he oversaw the complex procedures for launching and putting the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover on the surface of the moon as the mission director for Chandrayaan-3.

Mohana Kumar’s contributions are intricately woven into the ISRO’s fabric thanks to a respectable collaboration that has lasted more than three decades. His work as the director of the LVM3-M3 mission, which successfully launched OneWeb India 2 satellites commercially, demonstrates his versatility.

Also read: 11 Indian Companies Behind The Successful Launch Of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission