S. Somanath, the esteemed Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s endeavors. As the driving force behind ISRO, he oversaw the successful execution of Chandrayaan-3, the third Indian lunar exploration mission. His appointment as the tenth Chairman of ISRO by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on January 12, 2022, marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

1. Introduction

S. Somanath’s role as the Chairman of ISRO has been instrumental in propelling India’s space exploration efforts to new heights. His leadership and expertise have played a pivotal part in achieving significant milestones, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission.

2. Personal Background

Born on July 7, 1963, in Kerala, S. Somanath assumed the position of ISRO Chairman at the age of 59. He shares his life journey with his wife Valsala, who contributes her expertise to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department under the Ministry of Finance. Their family also includes two accomplished children, both holding postgraduate degrees in Engineering. His father, Sreedhara Panicker, was a renowned Hindi educator, while his mother Thankamma displayed a pioneering spirit in Thuravoor, Kerala.

3. Educational Pursuits

S. Somanath’s educational trajectory is marked by excellence:

• Schooling at St. Augustine’s High School, Aroor
• Pre-university program at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam
• Graduation in mechanical engineering from Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala University
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, with a specialization in dynamics and control.

4. Accolades and Achievements

S. Somanath’s exceptional contributions have garnered recognition from various quarters:

• Conferred with a Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu
• Honored with the Space Gold Medal by the Astronautical Society of India (ASI).

5. Career Highlights

Somanath’s career path reflects his commitment to space exploration and technological advancement:

• Commenced his journey at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in 1985
• Played a crucial role in the initial phases of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle project
• Served as associate director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
• Led the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III launch vehicle project in 2010
• Occupied the position of deputy director of the Propulsion and Space Ordinance Entity
• Took the helm as director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, from June 2015 to January 2018
• Assumed directorship of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and later became ISRO Chairman in January 2022.

6. Chandrayaan–3 Expedition

Chandrayaan-3, a sequel to Chandrayaan-2, aimed to demonstrate successful lunar landing and exploration. Its objectives encompassed safe landing, rover mobility, and in-situ scientific experiments. Learning from past experiences, the mission embraced a failure-based design approach to ensure resilience. Noteworthy differences between Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 include a focus on safeguarding against potential failures and streamlined instrumentation. Chandrayaan-3 stands as a testament to India’s prowess in lunar exploration, achieving a successful landing on the moon’s South Pole.

7. Research Endeavors

Chandrayaan-3’s accomplishments encompass a range of research activities:

• Safely landing on the moon’s surface, a feat that established India as the fourth nation to achieve this milestone
• Deployment of the rover, equipped with instruments to gather data on the Moon’s composition and atmosphere
• Lander activities encompass measurements of plasma density, thermal properties, seismicity, and lunar crust and mantle structure delineation
• A comprehensive two-week research timeline for the lander and rover to fulfill their scientific objectives.

8. Conclusion

S. Somanath’s leadership and ISRO’s achievements in projects like Chandrayaan-3 highlight the organization’s dedication to pushing boundaries in space exploration and scientific discovery.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What role does S. Somanath play at ISRO?

Q2: How does Chandrayaan-3 differ from its predecessor?

Q3: What are Somanath’s educational achievements?

Q4: What were Chandrayaan-3’s primary research objectives?

Q5: What accolades has S. Somanath received?