Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has honoured twelve of its alumni who played a crucial role in the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The scientists who were honoured by the institute include Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair who completed his PhD from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, in 2011 (2011 / PhD / ME) and Dr P Veeramuthuvel (PhD / ME), Project Director, Chandrayaan-3, ISRO, who completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2016.
Dr Nair is currently the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO.
Mr S Somanath, the present chairman of ISRO is also currently pursuing a PhD from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras.
Other ISRO scientists and engineers who are alumni from the institute, and who were part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission also shared their experiences during the event.
They include Dr P. Arun Kumar (1999/MTech/ME), Deputy Director, Earth Storable Engines and Stages (ESES)
Dr John Tharakan (1987/MTech/ME, 2001/PhD/AMBE), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
Mr Abdul Hameed, (2004/MTech/ ME) Scientist/Engineer, U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)
Mr Rajeev Senan C (2005 / MTech / ME), Division Head, Monopropellant Systems & Components Division, LPSC
Dr Shamrao (2009/ MTech, 2020/PhD / ME), Scientist, URSC
Mr H.M. Raghavendra Prasad (2012 / Mtech / ME), Scientist/Engineer, Head, Mechanism Assembly Section, Spacecraft Mechanisms Group, URSC
Dr S Mathavaraj, Scientist (2012 / M.Tech / AE), URSC
Mr R Karthik (2019 / MS, PhD / EE), Scientist, LPSC
Mr BS Phani Dinakar (2017 / M.Tech / ME), Scientist, URSC
Mr Sakthivel M (2017 / MTech / ME), Scientist/Engineer, Mechanism and Development Division, Spacecraft Mechanisms Group, URSC