Dr P Veeramuthuvel – An Epitome of Scientific Prowess and Perseverance

A humble man who dreamed big, aimed for the moon, and went on to achieve it – this is Dr. P Veeramuthuvel. From an unassuming school in Villupuram to ISRO, the distance covered might be a simple few hundred kilometers, but his journey is nothing short of phenomenal. Dr. P Veeramuthuvel is an exemplar of excellence in the field of space technology, showcasing remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication.

After completing his school education in a small town in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, Dr Veeramuthuvel began his higher education journey with a diploma course in Mechanical Engineering. His deep understanding of the subject matter consistently placed him at the top of his class at Sri Sairam Engineering College and the National Institute of Technology, Trichy. His academic pursuits continued with a Ph.D. at IIT-Madras, focusing on "Vibration Suppression of Electronic Package in Satellites." His research in this area was recognized through publications in renowned journals and presentations at international conferences.

His career path took him through esteemed organizations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, where he served as a design engineer, and eventually to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he rose to the position of project manager. At ISRO, he made significant contributions to remote sensing and scientific satellite projects, including the prestigious Mars Orbiter Mission.

Leading ISRO's first nanosatellite team and successfully launching three such satellites marked his dedication and expertise. He played a pivotal role in projects like Chandrayaan-2 and ultimately became the Project Director for Chandrayaan-3, achieving monumental success with his sizable team. His name today is synonymous with dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of space exploration. Dr. P. Veeramuthuvel is not only recognized but also celebrated as a trailblazer in the field of space exploration.

Despite his scientific achievements in reaching for the skies (quite literally!), Dr Veeramuthuvel is a man of humility, kindness, and compassion. His friends and colleagues at ISRO know him as a person who is down to earth, a keen team player, and a caring mentor. As the Project Director of the Chandrayaan 3 Mission, he credits its entire success to undeterred perseverance and exceptional teamwork. In his own words, “It is by virtue of excellent teamwork and sheer perseverance that we have achieved this safe and soft-landing technology on the lunar surface and we were very happy to see this becoming a celebration across the country irrespective of age and it is not only an achievement for the scientific community, it has become a country's achievement.” Describing the success of Chandrayaan 3 as a life-satisfying moment, he goes on to say that with this project, failure was not an option. And neither did success come easily. The team had to ensure that no matter the path the lander took, it needed to land safely and softly. No room for compromise was left and the whole team, particularly the navigation, guidance, control, propulsion system, sensors, and all the components worked in unison.

Every scientist is an inquisitive, curious-minded student. It is this student in him that led him to pursue his PhD at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He worked on his doctoral degree at the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the able guidance of Prof. Shankar Krishna Pillai, his PhD advisor and guide.

Possessing an exceptional academic record, Dr P Veeramuthuvel successfully completed his Ph.D. from 2011 to 2015. His Ph.D. research project, titled "Vibration Reduction of Launch Vehicle Structures Using Elastomeric Vibration Absorbers", showcased his expertise in the complex field of space technology. Specifically, he designed a capsule-type vibration absorber based on tungsten carbide particles to mitigate vibrations in electron satellites. Dr P Veeramuthuvel is not only recognized but celebrated as a trailblazer in the field of space exploration.

Watch Dr Veeramuthuvel speak about his experience as the Project Director of Chandrayaan 3 Mission at his alma mater,  IIT Madras here

Gesture of Gratitude

In a heartwarming gesture of gratitude and dedication, renowned ISRO scientist Dr. P. Veeramuthuvel has chosen to distribute the prestigious award money he received from the Tamil Nadu government among the four educational institutions that shaped his path to the stars. This selfless act, reflecting Dr. Veeramuthuvel's deep appreciation for his alma maters, has sparked a wave of admiration and inspiration across the country.

“I am deeply grateful to IIT Madras and all my Alma maters that have shaped my professional journey. Thank you for being my foundation and stepstone. I am glad that this contribution is going towards supporting the education of underprivileged students at IIT Madras. My desire is that this contribution would inspire all who are alumni everywhere, to give back to their Alma mater. It is not the scale that counts - big or small, but the spirit, so give what is possible.”