National Institute of Technology

Jul 21, 2023

Chandrayan-3 Launch - Alumni’s vital role in Moon Mission makes NITC proud

NITC alumni were part of the mission as ISRO engineers and private partners

National Institute of Technology Calicut is on cloud nine after the successful launch of Chandrayan 3. As the Moon Vehicle blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the pride of the alumni of NITC has also scaled to heights. While some of them were directly part of the ISRO and SDSC, some others joined the mission as private partners.

Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, a 1973 batch graduate of Regional Engineering College Calicut, now NITC is a prominent name that makes NITC proud. His company Ananth Technologies played a key role in the success of Chandrayan-3. Dr. Subba Rao, who was with the ISRO for 15 years of his career, launched Ananth Technologies Pvt Ltd (ATL) in 1992 with a mission to support space research in India.

“ISRO offered me an opportunity to understand the potential of the space sector. This coupled with the spirit of entrepreneurship led me to start Ananth,” said Dr. Subba Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of ATL. The company had signed technology transfer agreements with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) and with ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore and started working with Launch Vehicles like PSLV, GSLV, SSLV etc and with multiple satellites and planetary and scientific missions, he said.

Ananth Technologies, headquartered in Hyderabad has been contributing to all the launch vehicle and satellite missions of ISRO. ATL has contributed to Chandrayaan - 3 launch vehicle (LVM3) in the realization of many of the Avionics packages for this LVM3 mission including On-board computers, Navigation system, Control Electronics, Telemetry, Power systems etc. In addition, ATL realized Interface packages including SLRU-BS, SCOUT-A, Power switching modules (EMA-PSM), Cryo, stage safe Arm relay units, strain Gauge balancing units, and other vehicle interface units.

So far ATL has contributed to 94 Satellites and 74 launch Vehicles. Ananth also works for providing solutions using satellite data by creating spatial databases and total solutions to developmental planning and monitoring.

The role of the alumni of the institute in the successful launch of the Moon Vehicle has made the institute proud, said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director, NITC. NITCians are working in prestigious positions across the globe, and we are elated when our graduates reach heights and become role models to others, he said.

Apart from private partners of the Moon Mission, many of the former graduates of NITC who are working as engineers of the Indian Space Research Organization have played significant roles in Chandran 3. Many of the engineering graduates from different departments of NITC are currently working in the space research sector.

An engineering graduate who equips himself with technical knowledge, looks beyond his profession and ignites the fire in him to be an employer with ideas to contribute to the development of the country and society at large can emerge successful, said Dr. Subba Rao. Faith in oneself is the greatest strength to be an entrepreneur, he said.

Media Reports