Veera Muthuvel ISRO Scientist Chandrayaan 3

Introduction

The entire world came to a standstill recently. It was to witness one of the most spectacular technological demonstrations the world has ever seen in recent times. It was the landing of the Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s surface. This feat is a sure-shot way of establishing a nation as a global superpower, which India now is. 

How challenging is it to actually land on the moon? Well, you can just know it from the number of nations who have successfully been able to engineer their way around this problem. The answer is four including India. India is only the fourth nation to achieve this feat. 

Let us understand one of the scientists and pioneers who made this mission a resounding success for our nation. Are you wondering who? It is none other than P. Veeramuthuvel. This article delves into the life, education, and career of this remarkable individual who has contributed significantly to India’s space exploration endeavors.

A Humble Beginning

P. Veeramuthuvel is no doubt one of India’s eminent scientists. Born on 22nd October 1976 in Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Veeramuthuvel has carved a career path that has left a mark on the Indian aerospace industry. His journey has not been straightforward. Hailing from the district of Villupuram, he did his schooling in the government school where he was just an average student. At that point, he did not have any clue as to what career path to pursue. Academia itself seemed exotic as he would be the first to get a formal education in his family. He utilized the fact of his family being uneducated as a strength to carry him to great heights. He seriously pursued formal education and understood every subject with great detail. After completing his diploma in mechanical engineering from Ezhumalai Polytechnic College, Villupuram, his continued quest for knowledge took him to Sri Sai Ram Engineering College in Chennai, where he pursued his Bachelor of Engineering degree. This was just the beginning of his academic pursuit, as he later pursued his Master of Engineering studies at the prestigious NIT Trichy

Career Trajectory

Veeramuthuvel’s career trajectory is a testament to his dedication and expertise in aerospace engineering. He started his journey as a senior engineer at Lakshmi Engineering Works, Coimbatore. However, it was his subsequent association with the rotary wing research and design center of the helicopter division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore, where his passion for aerospace technology was kept alive. \

In 2014, Veeramuthuvel joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). During his tenure at ISRO, he worked on lots of projects and assumed diverse responsibilities that showcased his versatility and competence. He played a pivotal role in the planning of the second Mars Orbiter Mission too. His contributions to India’s space exploration endeavors are immense and so is his dedication to pursuing knowledge. All the while working on cutting-edge projects for ISRO, he parallelly continued his post-graduate studies and got his PhD from IIT Madras. 

Leading the Way

Veeramuthuvel’s academic prowess and dedication caught the attention of ISRO’s leadership, leading to his appointment as the associate project director for the groundbreaking Chandrayaan-2 mission. He replaced Muthayya Vanitha, an electronics systems engineer who led multiple satellite system projects for ISRO, and she was also the project director back then for the Chandrayaan 2 mission. His exemplary leadership and vision culminated in his appointment as the project director for Chandrayaan-3, a responsibility with a massive undertaking. The entire team has performed phenomenally well under his leadership in ISRO and together they have been able to achieve something every developed nation in the world would have bet against. 

A Man of Simplicity

Throughout his remarkable journey, Veeramuthuvel remained resolutely humble. His own words, “I am a simple person. If I am able to achieve these things, then everyone else can do it too,” serves as an inspiration to all Indians. He emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, commitment, and hard work, believing that these virtues, combined with our unique traits, lead to inevitable success.

Veeramuthuvel’s father, Palanivel, eagerly awaits his son’s return to Villupuram, he reflects on the sacrifices and dedication that have marked his son’s journey. Palanivel, who understands the importance of his son’s work, anticipates a pleasant reunion with the man who has made not only his family but the entire nation proud.