The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Chandrayaan-I Project Director Annadurai recalls memorable launch

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Chandrayaan-I Project Director Annadurai recalls memorable launch

Special Correspondent

“With team spirit, achievements possible in all fields”

— Photo: C.Venkatachalapathy

Achiever: Mylsamy Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan-I, giving away certificate to a student at the Graduation Day function of Mailam Engineering College near Villupuram.

VILLUPURAM: The successful mission of Chandrayaan-I has earned international acclaim because it has established in uncertain terms the space technology capabilities of India, said Mylsamy Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan-I, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangaluru.

He was delivering the seventh Graduation Day address at Mailam Engineering College at Mailam near here last Saturday. After its success, detractors who earlier questioned the need for a lunar mission had started asking when Indians would set foot on the moon. Initially it was planned as a moderate project incorporating indigenous technology to send a space craft with five scientific instruments, to the moon to study the mineral and chemical resources.

However, when it was contemplated to attach a foreign device to fully realize the goal 26 experts offered their equipments. After close scrutiny six of the devices supplied by America, England, Germany, Sweden, Bulgaria and Japan were selected and thus, Chandrayaan-I had come to carry a payload of 11 equipments, without altering the launch programme or the size of the expenditure. The design aspect was reviewed and the space craft was subjected to thorough test. Before the launch at Sriharikota palpable tension prevailed and above all, the weather condition turned adverse.

When the space craft entered its lunar orbit after overcoming odds, Mr. Annadurai said that he exclaimed “our toddler is now moving towards the moon.” Such was the emotional bond with the project.

As the lunar probe had landed on the moon on November 14, 2008 the ISRO proudly announced it as a gift to Indian children. He attributed the success of the mission to team work and hoped that it would inspire the scientists to design more powerful satellites.

With team spirit, achievements could be possible in all fields. Since the country offered ample opportunities, fresh graduates need not go in search of jobs elsewhere, he said.

On the occasion, Mr.Annadurai gave away graduation certificates to 253 candidates (165 undergraduates and 88 post-graduates). He also felicitated Sathya Priya of Electronics and Communication Engineering who scored 37th rank in Anna University.

College Chairman N.Kesavan, managing director M.Dhanasekaran, secretary S.V.Sugumaran and Principal V.Ilangovan participated.

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