Chronicles of Motivation

 

Mylswamy Annadurai

Born	2 July 1958 Kodhawady, Tamilnadu, India
Residence	India
Nationality	Indian
Fields	Aerospace Engineering
Institutions	Indian Space Research Organisation
Alma Matter	B.E(Engineering), (1980) Govt. College Of Technology, Coimbatore, M.E (Electronics),1982, PSG Tech Coimbatore.
Known for	Chandrayaan I, Chandrayaan-2, Indian space program

Mylswamy Annadurai, born 2 July 1958, in Kodhawady near Pollachi in Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu, India) is a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organization and currently serves as the Project Director of Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Through his inspiring speeches he has become a motivating force among the Indian students. Annadurai also writes his childhood, education and his thoughts in a column, "Kaiyaruke Nila"( Even Moon is at our Reach) in a Tamil weekly, "Kungumam"

Early life and education

Mylswamy Annadurai, born 2 July 1958, in Kodhawady near Pollachi in Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu, India)is a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organization and currently serves as the Project Director of Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Through his inspiring speeches he has become a motivating force among the Indian students. Annadurai also writes his childhood, education and his thoughts in a column, "Kaiyaruke Nila"( Even Moon is at our Reach) in a Tamil weekly, "Kungumam"

Chandrayaan I & II

Chandrayaan-1, lit: Moon-vehicle[2][3] pronunciation (help•info)) is India's first mission to the moon launched by India's national space agency the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The unmanned lunar exploration mission includes a lunar orbiter and an impactor. India launched the spacecraft by a modified version of the PSLV C11[1][4] on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh about 80 km north of Chennai at 06:22 IST (00:52 UTC).[5]The mission is a major boost to India's space program, as India joins Asian nations China and Japan in exploring the Moon.[6] The vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008.[7] During the period 2004-2008, as the Project Director for Chandrayaan-1, he led a team of Engineers and Scientists that designed and developed the project to carry instrumentation from ISRO and from NASA, ESA and Bulgaria to accomplish simultaneous chemical, mineralogical, resource and topographic mapping of the entire lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolutions. The project was realized within the time frame stipulated and the budget granted. He has paved the way for the future of Indian planetary missions and set an example for the international co-operation bringing the reputed international organizations like NASA, ESA, JAXA to work under the leadership of ISRO. Chandrayaan-1 has received many national and international awards including, the coveted Space Pioneers award for science and engineering at 28th International conference on Space development, in Florida USA. Presently Annadurai is leading the project Chandrayaan-2, Indian Lunar Landing mission meant for insitu mineral and chemical analysis of lunar soil.

Previous Assignments
Prior to the present appointment, Dr. Annadurai was in Charge of India's National Communication satellite (INSAT) missions as the Mission Director. He has also served as the Associate Project director, for GSAT-3EDUSAT. He was the member secretary of the task team that prepared Chandrayaan-1 project report. He is the author of several research papers in his specialization.

• 1982: Joined ISRO
• 1985: Team leader to develop S/W satellite Simulator
• 1988: Spacecraft operations manager, IRS-1 A
• 1989: Spacecraft operations manager, IRS-1 B
• 1992: Spacecraft operations manager, INSAT-2A
• 1993: Spacecraft operations manager, INSAT-2B
• 1994: Deputy Project Director, INSAT-2C
• 1996: Mission Director, INSAT-2C
• 1997: Mission Director, INSAT-2D
• 1999: Mission Director, INSAT-2E
• 2000: Mission Director, INSAT-3B
• 2001: Mission Director, GSAT-1
• 2003: Mission Director, INSAT-3E
• 2003: Associate Project, Director, EDUSAT
• 2004: Project Director, Chandrayaan-1
• 2008: Project Director, Chandrayaan-2

During his holidays Annadurai tours across the country to meet and interact with the students to spread science. Through his inspirational talks he has become a role model among the children and youngsters. His talks and writings are more sought and attended to by the academia and the professionals.

Notable Lecturers
Annadurai has delivered lectures in various professional forums, notable among them are,

• Dr.GRD.Damodharan Endowment Lecture, GRD Institutes, Coimbatore
• Dr.APJ.Abdul Kalam Endowment Lecture, St.Joseph College, Trichy
• Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Lecture , 24th Indian Engineering Congress
• Prof.BR.Narayana Iyengar Memorial Lecture, Institution of Engineers , Bangalore
• Kalpana Chawla Memorial Lecture,AGM Convention, Aeronautical Society of India, 2010
• More than 25 Convocation addresses in various Universities and Academia.

Awards and achievements from Academic and Professional Bodies

• Doctor of Science, DSc (Honoris Causa) conferred by Pondicherry University(2009)
• Doctor of Science, DSc (Honoris Causa) conferred by Anna University, Chennai(2009)
• Doctor of Science, DSc (Honoris Causa) conferred by University of Madras, Chennai (2009)
•  Doctor of Science, DSc (Honoris Causa) conferred by MGR University, Chennai (2008)
• Eminent Scientist Award from 76th Indian Science Congress - Madurai Kamaraj University Endowment.
• Dr. Annadurai is the recipient of the Hariom Ashram pretit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award for his outstanding Contributions to Systems analysis and Space systems management(2004).
• He is also the recipient of a citation from ISRO for his contribution to the INSAT systems Mission management(2003)
• Team Excellence award for his contribution to Indian Space Program(2007).
• The government of Karnataka awarded him the Rajyotsava Prashastifor Science (2008).
• National Aernautical Award-2008 from Aeronautical Society of India in recognition of his contributions in the field of Satellites/Spacecrafts
• Fellow of The Society for shock wave research, Dept.of Aerospace Eng, Indian Institute of ScienceI (IISC), Bangalore
• Distinguished Alumni Award, PSG College of Technology, 2009.
•  Jwel of GCT(Government College of Technology, Coimbatore) by GCT Alumni
• Personality of the year Awarded by St. Johns International School, Chennai
• Certificate of Appreciation from Boeing Asian - American professional Association, Houstan, USA
• Space Systems award, 2009 from American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, US.
•  NIQR Bajaj Award for "Outstanding Quality Man 2009"
• H K Firodia awards, 2009 for Science and Technology
• SIES (South Indian Education Society) Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati National Eminence Award, 2009 for Science and Technology
• Listed in the TNIE-Uninor Ahciever of the year 2009,
•  Listed in the Dinamalar-Uninor Ahciever of the year 2009
• Amara Bharathi National Eminence Award for Science and Technology, 2010
• Sir CV Raman Award-2010 from Periyar University, Salem

Dr. Annadurai's publications and works are being widely referred by satellite operator's, one of his work has been referred in a US patent.

Awards from Public Forums

• Poorna Chandra award from Rotary Club, Coimbatore.
• For the Sake of Honour award from Rotary international District 2980
• Dr. Annadurai topped the list of top 10 Tamilars in 2008 released by Tamil Weekly Kumdam
• He was placed 2nd in the list of Top 10 Indians in 2008 released by Tamil weekly Anandavikatan
• Makkal Award - 2008 as Best- Tamil Scientist by Makkal TV
• As the member of the Chandrayaan-1 team, Man of the year-2008 award by NDTV
• Listed one of the top 10 Tamils in two consequetive years 2008 and 2009 by India Today-(Tamil)
• Tamil mamani award from Tirupur Tamizh sangam.
• He also got awards like, "Nilavu Nayagan" and "Nilappillai" from Various forums in Tamil Nadu.
• Ilaya Kalam, the title was conferred by Dinamalar Kalvimalar, on December 15, 2008. It was again offered in a public and students function held at Madurai Mangayarkarasi School on December 29, 2008.
• Life time achievement award by Pondicherry Rotary Club
• Arivial Anna from Karnataka Tamil Peravai, Hubli
• Arivial Chemmal from RVS, Educational Trust
• PAUL HARRIS FELLOW From Rotary international
• Life time achievement award from Minnosota Tamilsangam, USA. "Centenarian Life time Achievement award", by the Centenarian Trust, Chennai (2009)
• Life time achievement award from Anbu palam 52nd Anniversary on 2nd Oct 2009
• Award from Bharathi Kalai mandram, Houston, USA.