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Mangalyaan: India’s Mars Orbiter Mission 23rd August 2023.
Perhaps her most significant contribution came Dr. Ritu Karidhal Shrivastava’s narrativet
into focus with her instrumental role in the Mars ranscends her technical accomplishments. Her
Orbiter Mission (MOM), affectionately referred journey, interwoven with that of her fellow
to as Mangalyaan. Launched with great anticipation scientist Minal Rohit, led them to be affectionately
in 2013, MOM was a mission of monumental known as the “Rocket Women.”
significance, which aimed at unraveling the cryptic
mysteries veiling the Red Planet, Mars. This title served to honor not only their scientific
MOM proved to be a testament of her resolve achievements but also to recognize their roles as
and leadership as the mission posed a lot of beacons of inspiration for aspiring women.
challenges as she became the Deputy Operations Shrivastava’s ascent to prominence defied
Director for MOM, From the intricate calculations traditional gender norms, proving that
that governed the spacecraft’s trajectory to the excellence knows no gender. Her story is a
meticulous planning required for maintaining source of hope for countless young girls who
communication across the vast expanse, every have aspirations of venturing into fields historically
facet of the mission bore the imprint of her dominated by men. Her legacy serves as a
expertise. reminder that the fusion of passion and
perseverance can surmount any obstacle.
The challenges were colossal, but Dr. Shrivastava’s
team, inspired and guided by her leadership, Dr. Shrivastava’s contributions did not go
confronted them with unparalleled determination. unnoticed. Her instrumental role in the Mars
The triumph of Mangalyaan stands as a water- Orbiter Mission earned her accolades both on
shed moment in India’s scientific endeavors, the national and international stages. She was
placing the nation in the exclusive club of space bestowed with the ISRO Team Excellence
agencies that have successfully reached Mars. It Award and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National
was an achievement that not only showcased Award. She has won many awards including
India’s technological prowess but also high- ‘ISRO Young Scientist Award,’ ‘ISRO Team
lighted Shrivastava’s genius in steering the Award for MOM (2015),’ ‘ASI Team Award,’
mission to a success. and ‘Women Achievers in Aerospace (2017)’ by
the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies &
Subsequently, she took over as the Mission Industries (SIATI).
Director of Chandrayaan-2, successfully She is an integral force within ISRO, lending her
launched on July 22, 2019. Her most recent expertise to a myriad of missions and projects. Her
achievement, leading Chandrayaan-3, marks steadfast commitment to advancing the
another milestone in her illustrious career. frontiers of space exploration
Launched on July 14, 2023, it has stands as a testament to
s uc c ess fully landed near her enduring passion.
South pole of Today she serves as a
the moon on hope and an inspiration
to the young boys and
girls who aaspire to Khushi Pathak
venture in the field of Student, Rpvv
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