ISRO Chairman, S. Somanath aims on inspiring many, pens down autobiography, scheduled to be released in November, 2023

The Indian Space Journey is full of uncountable achievements and accolades. The nation has forever produced brilliant scientists and contributed to the world’s technological and scientific advancements. The Indian Space Research Organisation has been at the forefront of the nation’s space endeavours. Throughout its 54 years of journey, ISRO has seen commendable scientists and researchers who have contributed to the nation as well as the world’s scientific and technological building.

Dr. S. Somanath, the current chairman of ISRO, is one such man who has made a commendable contribution to India’s space endeavours. To inspire the youngsters and people of his nation, as well as the world, the Indian aerospace engineer has now penned his autobiography. The autobiography, titled “Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal”, which translates to ‘Lions that drank the moonlight’, is scheduled to be released next month of this year. His autobiography will be published by Kerala-based Lipi Publication. The autobiography is written in Malayalam, the scientist’s mother tongue.

The autobiography will also include insights into the technological scenarios of ISRO’s journey. S. Somanath has included stories of rocket manufacturing, PSLV, GSLV Mark III, Chandrayaan-3 etc.

Some of S. Somanath’s roles and contributions

• India launched the third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3 under his chairmanship. He spearheaded the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the lunar surface with other senior ISRO scientists on 23 August 2023.
• The aerospace engineer served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram from 22 January 2018 to 14 January 2022.
• He served as the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Thiruvananthapuram from 1 January 2015 to 23 January 2018.
• He was associated with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, which he joined in 1985 after his graduation.
• He was the project director of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, launched in 2010.

He received the Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) on 25 September by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu.