P. Veeramuthuvelu is an Indian scientist working with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). In 2019, he became the project director of India’s third lunar exploration mission, “Chandrayaan-3”, which successfully landed on the moon in August 2023. He also holds important positions in multiple space exploration projects undertaken by ISRO.
Wiki/Biography
Palanivenu Veeramuthuvel was born on Friday, October 22, 1976 (age 47 years; as of 2023) in Villupuram district (also spelled Vizhuppuram) in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. His zodiac sign is Libra. After completing his education at Railway Mixed High School, Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu, he pursued a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from a private polytechnic in Tamil Nadu. Thereafter, he studied at Sri Sairam Engineering College in Tamil Nadu and received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2001. Later, Veeramuthuvel joined National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (also known as NIT Trichy), where he received his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 with a concentration in Systems Engineering. In 2011, he pursued his PhD in Mechanical Design and Optimization (IITM) from the Indian Institute of Technology Madaras; he completed his PhD in 2017. He has also completed numerous engineering courses in the United States, United Kingdom, Russia and France.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′7″
Hair color: black
Eye color: dark brown
family
Parents and siblings
His father P. Palaniven worked as a technician in the Southern Railway Division of the Indian Railways. His mother is a housewife.
Photos by P. Palanivel
wife and children
He is married and has a daughter. He got married on February 10, 2008.
Photos of P. Veeramuthuvel’s daughter
Profession
Before Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
In January 2003, Veeramuthuvel moved to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and joined Lakshmi Machine Works Limited as a Senior Engineer. He worked for the company until January 2004. From January 2004 to December 2004, he worked at the Rotor Research and Design Center of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore. There he was involved in numerous projects aimed at developing indigenous aircraft for the Indian Armed Forces. strength.
Photo taken by Veeramuthuvel (middle) while working with HAL
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
In December 2004, Veeramuthuvel joined ISRO as a Scientist Engineer (SE). In an interview, he talked about his work at ISRO and said:
As an engineering student, I had a dream to work in the space sector with ISRO. But it took me a few years to get there. After completing my Masters in Mechanical Engineering, I worked in a private company for a few years and then with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore. During this period, I never lost focus on my final destination – ISRO. “
Photo of P. Veeramuthuvel with model rocket
Thereafter, he joined a team of scientists building different types of remote sensing satellites for India and other countries. He also played an important role in the creation of the satellite and launch vehicle for the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan. He was later appointed as Deputy Director, Space Infrastructure Program, ISRO Central Office. There, he played a vital role in the implementation of projects to improve ISRO launch site infrastructure.
Photo taken by P. Veeramuthuvel while delivering a speech during an ISRO event
Chandrayaan 2
Later, he served as Deputy Project Director for India’s second lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-2, under the leadership of Project Director Muthayya Vanitha. On the project, he played an important role in coordinating with NASA to improve the potential for mission success. He was also part of the team that negotiated with NASA to purchase the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) for the mission. However, the mission was unsuccessful as the Vikram lander crashed on the lunar surface instead of landing gently. Citing the reasons for the failure, ISRO’s official statement read:
In the second stage of descent, the speed decreases beyond the design value. Due to this deviation, the initial conditions at the beginning of the fine braking phase exceed the design parameters. As a result, Vikram made a hard landing within 500 meters of the designated landing site on the moon. “
Chandrayaan 3
In 2019, after the launch of the third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, Veeramuthuvel succeeded Vanitha as the project director. He discussed his appointment as project director in an interview, saying:
The Government of India gave me another assignment – Chandrayaan-3. In November 2019, the ISRO Chairman and my Center Director appointed me as the Project Director for the next lunar exploration mission. “
Under his leadership, the Chandrayaan-3 team worked on improving the propulsion system used to transport the lander and rover, the three-legged box-shaped Vikram lander that helped the spacecraft land gently on the moon, and the Pragyan lander designed to carry out the mission Mars rover. Research and exploration missions on the lunar surface. The LVM3-M4 rocket carrying Chandrayaan-3 was launched as scheduled from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 2:35 pm (Indian Standard Time) on July 14, 2023 .
Photo of the rocket carrying Chandrayaan-3
After thirty-nine days of space travel, the spacecraft arrived at its destination, the lunar south pole, on August 23, 2023. The spacecraft made a soft landing on the lunar surface at 6:04 pm IST.
P. Veeramuthuvel (second from left) takes a group photo with the team of scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 project
After the successful landing, the entire team of the project was congratulated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the European Space Agency (ESA). ISRO Chief S. Somanath informed the Prime Minister about the success of Chandrayaan-3 through a video call and said:
We have achieved a soft landing on the moon. India is on the moon. “
South African Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the landing of Chandrayaan-3 via video call
Facts/Trivia
- His name is also spelled Veera Muthuvel and Veeramuthuvel Palanivelu.
- He follows the teachings of Sadhguru. In an interview, he revealed that he received Sadhguru’s blessings before taking over as the Project Director of Chandrayaan-3. Talking about this, he said,
Before embarking on this important and challenging journey, I sought Sadhguru’s blessings. I was lucky enough to meet Sadhguru in person at the Edsha Yoga Center with my wife and receive his blessings and best wishes for the success of this project. “
- As a scientist, he has authored numerous research papers published in reputable scientific journals. He published a research paper in 2016 on vibration control systems in spacecraft electronic assemblies, which helped ISRO develop technology to ensure equipment on rockets are safe and protected from severe turbulence.
- In a media interaction, Veeramuthuvel revealed that he started practicing yoga and meditation in 2009 while pursuing M.Tech. He further stated that his and his family’s association with Sadhguru’s yoga and meditation program started after his friend introduced him to Isa Yoga Center in Tamil Nadu.
- After the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, Veeramuthuvel’s father was overwhelmed with emotion and expressed pride at his son’s achievement. Later, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin had a phone call with him and Veeramuthuvir to congratulate them on their achievement.
Video | Chandrayaan-3 project director P Veeramuthuvel’s father was excited watching the Vikram lander successfully land on the lunar surface. #Chandrayaan3 #Chandrayaan3Landing #ISRO pic.twitter.com/bC6UJQtgP4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 23, 2023
- Following the successful moon landing of Chandrayaan-3, Google launched a new doodle on August 24, 2023, depicting the Pragyan rover at the south pole of the moon.
Image of Google Doodle
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education