IIT Madras Honors Alumni for Chandrayaan-3 Mission Triumph
In a momentous event filled with pride and admiration, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras Honors Alumni) recently celebrated the accomplishments of twelve of its esteemed alumni who played instrumental roles in the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The occasion, titled ‘Over the Moon with Team Chandrayaan-3,’ not only recognized the extraordinary contributions of these alumni but also provided a platform for them to interact with students from IIT Madras and various government schools and city colleges.
Among those honored was Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, a distinguished alumnus who completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras in 2011. He now serves as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a prominent arm of ISRO. Dr. P Veeramuthuvel, Project Director for Chandrayaan-3 at ISRO, who earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras in 2016, was also celebrated for his remarkable achievements.
S Somanath, the Chairman of ISRO, is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras, further strengthening the longstanding connection between the institution and ISRO.
Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, in a heartfelt statement, reminisced about his time as a PhD student at IIT Madras, saying, “I stayed on this campus for hardly one semester, but that one semester made a lot of changes in me. We feel proud that we belong to this institute and that we could do something that is because of the energy and enthusiasm that we got by being part of the great institution.”
The Chandrayaan-3 mission was a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. Dr. P Veeramuthuvel, Project Director, Chandrayaan-3, ISRO, shared insights into the mission’s challenges and accomplishments, stating, “It is by virtue of excellent teamwork and sheer perseverance that we have achieved this safe and soft landing technology on the lunar surface. It is not only an achievement for the scientific community but it has become the country’s achievement.”
He emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and rigorous testing, revealing that the lander was crafted to ensure a successful landing from any path it took. The success of Chandrayaan-3 was a testament to the dedication and collaboration of teams across various domains, including navigation, guidance, control, propulsion systems, and sensors.
The event also featured discussions with other accomplished ISRO scientists and engineers who are alumni of IIT Madras:
- Dr. P Arun Kumar (1999/M.Tech/ME), Deputy Director, Earth Storable Engines and Stages (ESES)
- Dr. John Tharakan (1987/M.Tech/ME, 2001/PhD/AMBE), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
- Abdul Hameed (2004/M.Tech/ME), Scientist/Engineer, U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)
- Rajeev Senan C. (2005 / M.Tech / ME), Division Head, Monopropellant Systems & Components Division, LPSC
- Dr. Shamrao (2009/ M.Tech, 2020/PhD / ME), Scientist, URSC
- H M Raghavendra Prasad (2012 / M.tech / ME), Scientist/Engineer, Head, Mechanism Assembly Section, Spacecraft Mechanisms Group, URSC
- Dr. S Mathavaraj, Scientist (2012 / M.Tech / AE), URSC
- R Karthik (2019 / MS, PhD / EE), Scientist, LPSC
- B S Phani Dinakar (2017 / M.Tech / ME), Scientist, URSC
- Sakthivel M. (2017 / M.Tech / ME), Scientist/Engineer, Mechanism and Development Division, Spacecraft Mechanisms Group, URSC
Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the significance of indigenous technology and the profound impact it can have on India’s journey to becoming a superpower. He commended the achievements of these alumni, stating, “Here are the heroes who say that the sky is no longer the limit. We can go much above it.”
The event was a testament to the remarkable contributions of these IIT Madras alumni to India’s space exploration endeavors, reinforcing the institute’s legacy of excellence in engineering and technology.
As India marches forward towards its 100th year of Independence, these achievements serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us that with dedication, collaboration, and unwavering determination, there are no limits to what can be achieved in the field of science and technology.
In celebrating their successes, IIT Madras and ISRO have not only honored these individuals but also ignited the aspirations of future generations to dream big and reach for the stars, just as their illustrious alumni have done.