Mylswamy Annadurai, an Indian scientist who has nearly 36 years of experience at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is referred to as the "Moon Man of India." Tell us more about this man who was a part of the Chandrayaan mission as we commemorate his 64th birthday.
From 2004 to 2008, Annadurai oversaw the Chandrayaan-1 project as its project director. This was India's first lunar mission, which advanced the nation's space programme.
After that, he served as the "Mars Orbiter Mission"'s Programme Director for Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan. The Indian scientist was born on July 2, 1958, in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, in the village of Kodhawady, which is close to Pollachi.
Annadurai finished his engineering degree at the Government College of Engineering in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, following his early schooling in Kodhawady. He then went on to the PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore to pursue a master's degree.
After joining the ISRO in 1982, Annadurai managed spacecraft operations for the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)-2A and 2B satellite programmes as well as the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS)-1A and IRS-1B programmes.
Annadurai was promoted to the position of mission director of the INSAT-2C, INSAT-2D, 2E, 3B, 3E, and GSAT (Geosynchronous Satellite)-1 space programmes after holding the position of deputy project director for a number of programmes.
The Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 lunar probes were successful in large part due to the contribution of the Indian scientist.
On October 22, 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was launched from Sriharikota Island under his direction. On November 8, the lunar probe entered the lunar orbit. On November 14, the Moon Impact Probe was then launched, and it made contact with the lunar South Pole.
In addition, Annadurai oversaw Chandrayaan-2, India's second lunar mission, as its project director. He is therefore sometimes referred to as the "Moon Man of India."
Indian scientists have participated in a number of ISRO satellite projects, the most well-known of which was the November 2013 launch of the Mangalyaan mission. In September 2014, the Mars Orbiter Mission entered the orbit of its neighbouring planet.
Annadurai has been employed as the Vice President of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology since his retirement from ISRO in 2019. He was also proposed for the position of Chairman of the National Design and Research Forum Board of Governors.
The Indian scientist was previously employed by Kungumam, a Tamil newspaper. The man has inspired young Indians to pursue careers in science throughout his career.
