Chandrayaan-3: Meet the Unsung Heroes Behind India’s Lunar Mission

Published: Thursday, August 24, 2023, 10:32 [IST]

The Indian lunar spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, successfully achieved a soft landing on the Moon's surface this Wednesday, marking its final mission milestone. The collaborative efforts of numerous ISRO scientists played a crucial role in this moon landing accomplishment. This achievement solidifies India's position as the pioneer in landing a spacecraft on the southern pole of the Moon. Let's take a look at the notable individuals responsible for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Chandrayaan-3: Meet the Unsung Heroes Behind India’s Lunar Mission

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S Somanath (ISRO Chairman): Somanath, an aerospace engineer who assumed leadership of ISRO in 2022, stepped in two years after the unsuccessful Chandrayaan-2 lunar landing attempt. The ISRO chairman played a pivotal role in the design of India's highly reliable launch vehicle, which was responsible for transporting the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.

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P Veeramuthuvel (Project Director): Heading the comprehensive effort to assemble Chandrayaan-3 through close collaboration with various ISRO centers, Veeramuthuvel commenced his involvement in India's third lunar expedition in 2019. He is recognized for his significant contributions to enhancing the design of the Vikram lander.

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Kalpana K (Deputy Project Director): Assuming the role of deputy leader, Kalpana is renowned for her meticulous approach to every aspect of the mission, carefully tending to even the smallest details. Her dedication was evident as she maintained the mission's momentum even amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.

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M Sankaran (Director at UN Rao Satellite Centre): Sankaran leads the UR Rao Satellite Centre, responsible for constructing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. He assumed leadership of the center in 2021 and has been a crucial figure in advancing the technology for solar arrays, power systems, and communication systems, contributing significantly to India's prior two lunar missions.

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M Srikanth (Mission Director): He took the lead in overseeing the navigation component of the mission and was engaged in the advancement of both Chandrayaan 1 and 2.