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Beyond the Syllabus: The scientists behind Mangalyaan Updated on: Oct 6, 2014

Chhavi Sharma 768 Views

Image Courtesy: ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on November 5, 2013 launched (MOM), popularly known as Mangalyaan. India’s “Mars Craft” created history when it became the first spacecraft to reach Mars in its maiden attempt, making it the fourth nation after Soviet Union, United States and Europe to send a craft to the Red Planet. All over the world around 40 missions have been led to reach Mars and 23 of them have failed which include failed attempts made by Japan in 1999 as well as China in 2011. Costing Rs 450 crore and having a lift-off mass of 1,350 kg, Mangalyaan is

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. equipped with instruments such as a sensor (to track methane or marsh gas), a colour camera as well as a thermal-imaging spectrometer to map the surface and minerals present on the planet. The world saw the successful launch of Mangalyaan and many senior scientists even went on to call it a – Textbook launch. So, we at Shiksha.com are trying to find out who were the brilliant minds behind the success story of Mangalyaan. Koppillil Radhakrishnan Age: 65 years Position: Chairman of ISRO, Chairman of the board of management, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for leading the mission along with monitoring the overall activities of ISRO. K Radhakrishnan became the chairman of ISRO on October 31, 2009. After completing his education from Christ College at Irinjalakuda, Radhakrishnan pursued his BSc in Electrical Engineering from Government Engineering College, Thrissur in 1970. In 1971, right after graduation, he joined ISRO as an Avionics Engineer at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum. While working at ISRO, he joined a masters programme in management at IIM Bangalore which he completed in 1976. After which he pursued his doctorate from IIT Kharagpur in 2000. What most people do not know about this great scientist of India is that he is a Carnatic Music as well as Kathakali enthusiast and is even known to have given performances in the respective arts.

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. Mylswamy Annadurai Age: 56 years Position: Programme Director for IRS & SSS Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for directing the spacecraft configuration and performing tasks related to schedule management, budget management as well as resource management of the mission. M Annadurai completed his schooling from his native village Kodhawady after which he pursued his engineering degree from Government College of Technology, , in 1980. He then joined PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore to complete his masters degree in engineering in 1982 and in the same year he joined ISRO. He further pursued his PhD from of Technology, Coimbatore. He has been one of the key contributors to many Indian remote sensing mission such as Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, ASTROSAT, Aditya-1, Mars Orbiter Mission and the likes. Annadurai also writes a regular column – Kaiyaruke Sevvai (which literally means Mars is in our Reach) in Dina Thanthi, a Tamil Daily. S Ramakrishnan Age: 64 years Position: Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Member Launch Authorisation Board Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for the rocket (Polar ) that would ferry the Mars orbiter.

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. In 1970, S Ramakrishnan graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Guindy Engineering College, Chennai. After which he pursued MTech in Aerospace from IIT Madras in 1972. He joined ISRO in 1972 and worked in SLV-3 Project team which was responsible for developing India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle, under the leadership of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. His fields of specialisation are – Aerospace Propulsion, Launch Vehicle Systems and Project Management. Ramakrishnan has been the recipient of many prestigious awards such as ISRO Performance Excellence Award during 2006 in recognition of his contribution to Indian Space Programme in the area of satellite launch vehicles and National Design Award (Institute of Engineers) in 2010. The Government of India applauded his efforts by felicitating him with the Padmashree in 2003. SK Shivakumar Age: 60 years Position: Director of ISRO Satellite Centre Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for developing satellite technology as well as the implementation of satellite systems for scientific, technological and application missions. The project director for India's first indigenous Deep Space Network antenna, SK Shivakumar secured his Bachelor's Degree in Science from Mysore University. After which he pursued his BE in Electrical Communications and MTech in Physical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. He joined ISRO in 1976 by becoming a part of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. Command Network (ISTRAC) at Sriharikota. Shivakumar is a highly awarded scientist of India and is the recipient of awards such as Indian National Remote Sensing Award of Indian Society of Remote Sensing, ISRO Merit Award for his outstanding contributions in Ground Systems establishment and Award for excellence in Space systems management of the Astronautical Society of India. He was also awarded the National Aeronautical Prize in 2008 from Aeronautical Society of India for his outstanding contribution for Chandrayaan-1 mission. He also received the Team Excellence Award for successful implementation of Satellite based Telemedicine programme. Shivakumar was awarded the Rajyotsava Award 2008 and Nadoja Award. University of Mysore even conferred an Honorary Doctorate to him during its 92nd annual convocation. P Kunhikrishnan Age: 52 years Position: Project Director PSLV programme Task in Mangalyaan mission: He is responsible to oversee that the rocket successfully completes its mission along with ensuring that the satellite is correctly injected in its designated orbit. Commonly referred to as the “The launch expert”, P Kunhikrishnan hails from Kerala and is known to have made a record for himself with MOM as this was his ninth launch as project director. He joined ISRO in 1986 and Mangalyaan was a challenge for him as well because the total duration of the launch for MOM was 44 minutes as compared to a minute or two for other vessels.

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. V Kesava Raju Position: Mission Director of Mangalyaan Task in Mangalyaan mission: His team is responsible for monitoring the Mars Mission following its launch, including tracking it in outer space. Kesava Raju is the man responsible to handle all post-launch activities of MOM. During the initial days after the launch he was the person who sent orders to the vessel to perform actions like orbit-raising manoeuvers and also to fire the engine for Trans Mars Injection. But now since MOM has reached its destination and one-way communication to it takes approximately 12 minutes, this senior scientist uploads preset commands several days ahead. MYS Prasad Age: 61 years Position: Director of the Space Centre Sriharikota High Altitude Range. He is also the Chairman of Launch Authorisation Board Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for range safety and schedules. He was also the overall in- charge at rocket port. This Padma Shree award winning scientist, completed his BE in Electronics and Communication from Government College of Engineering, Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) in 1974. He later pursued his doctoral degree from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS).

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. He has been working at ISRO since the past four decades. He worked for almost two decades in the Launch Vehicle development programmes of ISRO (1975 to 1994) and was also part of the project team of SLV-3, the first indigenously developed launch vehicle of India. Dr Prasad has around 35 publications to his credit in various Indian and International Journals as well as International symposia. Dr Prasad is the recipient of many prestigious awards including Karnataka Rajyotsava award in the field of Science (2001), ISRO Merit award for in Orbit Management of geostationary Satellites (2007), Operations of INSTE-2E (2007), EDUSAT Utilisation Programme, Satellite based Disaster Warning and Communication Systems (2009) and ISRO Team Excellence award for Development of Innovative Launch Facilities (2011). Chandradathan Position: Director, Liquid Propulsion System Task in Mangalyaan mission: He is responsible for liquid propulsion systems aboard MOM. Having secured a degree in Chemical Engineering from Government Engineering College, Trissur in 1971 followed by completing his MTech in rocket propulsion from Birla Institute of Technology in 1985, M Chandradathan joined ISRO in 1972. He started his career by working on the SLV-3 Project during its design phase and was later involved in the development of solid propellant formulations for SLV-3. Over three decades, he has made rich contributions to solid motors for sounding rockets, SLV-3, ASLV and PSLV. Mr Chandradathan has been the recipient of many awards including Performance Excellence Award of ISRO for the year 2009, Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award, 2009 from Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and 'Individual Service Award' of ISRO for the year 2006. He has even been

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. honoured with the Padma Shree.

Subbiah Arunan Age: 51 years Position: Project Director MOM Task in Mangalyaan mission: He and his team were responsible for building the spacecraft. A native of , S Arunan completed mechanical engineering and went on to join ISRO in 1984. He and his team put in features such as a new communication system, enabling the spacecraft to be (largely) autonomous to take decisions, designing solar power cells, making the orbiter engine restart after 300 days as well as developing new navigation software. Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar Age: 62 years Position: Director, Satellite Application Centre Task in Mangalyaan mission: He was responsible for designing as well as building three of the orbiter payloads which are – Mars Colour Camera, Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer and Methane Sensor. This distinguished scientist received his Physics (Honours) Degree from National College, Bangalore University in 1971. He obtained his masters degree in electronics from Bangalore University in 1973 and thereafter MTech Degree in physical engineering from Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) in

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. 1975. AS Kiran Kumar joined ISRO in 1975 and became famous for his contribution to the design and development of Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors for Airborne, LEO and GEO platform based imaging sensors starting from TV payload to the latest TMC ad HySI payloads for Chandrayaan-1 missions.

Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020.