Agencies
On 15 August 2018, PM Narendra Modi announced ISRO’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. ISRO has already started its preparations for its first Human Space Flight Project, and if successful, India will become the fourth country after USA, Russia and China to send a human to space. Speaking about the project, Dr K Sivan, the secretary, department of Space said, “We are excited by this announcement. It is a gift to the nation, and we feel proud. It actually energises us across our centres. We do not feel intimidated or tense.”
This formidable project will be headed by VR Lalithambika, who has been appointed as its director. With several years of experience in the field.
Speaking to the news agency, about ISRO’s successful missions, and her experience of working with such an esteemed organisation, VR Lalithambika said, “It is extremely satisfying to work in this organisation because even juniors are allowed to voice their ideas and concerns, and every mission is achieved through teamwork so that nobody’s ego comes in the way. We have set an example for all organisations, private or government, that teamwork matters most to achieve the most challenging goal.” Her team undertook perhaps their most ambitious mission when they launched 104 satellites into space. It was an end-to-end test of all their systems. With several simulations on computers, preparations for the worst possible conditions and ensuring that each satellite stays in its right orbit without colliding with another, the team had a great task at hand. When the mission concluded, the team and ISRO won acclaim from across the globe.
