V. R. Lalithambika facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
V. R. Lalithambika
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| Born | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.Tech from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram M.Tech in Control Engineering from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Occupation | Scientist at ISRO |
| Years active | 1988 - Present |
| Employer | Indian Space Research Organisation |
Dr. V. R. Lalithambika, born in 1962, is an Indian engineer and scientist. She has worked for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for many years. She is an expert in making advanced rockets. Dr. Lalithambika was a key leader for the Gaganyaan mission, which is India's project to send astronauts into space.
Early Life and Education
Lalithambika was born in 1962 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her home was very close to the Thumba rocket testing center. This made her interested in ISRO from a young age.
Her family also helped her love for science grow. Her grandfather was a mathematician and astronomer. He even made gadgets like lenses at home. Her father was an engineer too.
She studied Electrical Engineering for her first degree (B.Tech). Later, she earned her master's degree (M.Tech) in Control Engineering. Both degrees were from the College of Engineering, Trivandrum. She also completed her Ph.D. while working at ISRO.
Career at ISRO
Dr. Lalithambika is an expert in technology for launching rockets. She joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram in 1988. At VSSC, she led a team that designed systems to control and guide rockets.
She has worked on many different ISRO rockets. These include the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). She also worked on the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). She has been part of more than 100 space missions.
Before moving to ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, she was a Deputy Director at VSSC. She was in charge of control, guidance, and simulation systems. She played a very important role in the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. This program is working to send Indian astronauts into space.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Lalithambika has received several important awards for her work. In 2001, she was given the Space Gold Medal. She also won the ISRO Individual Merit Award and the ISRO Performance Excellence Award in 2013.
The Astronautical Society of India also honored her for her excellent work in launch vehicle technology. In 2023, she received the highest French civilian award, the Legion d'Honneur. This award recognized her efforts in strengthening space cooperation between India and France.
Personal Life
Dr. Lalithambika is married to Pradeep Kumar A.B. He used to be the Chairman of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
