Dr S Geetha, Outstanding Scientist, Former Programme Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the space industry, and how have your research interests evolved?

I hail from Thiruvananthapuram, where Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre – the mother centre of the Indian Space Programme is located. From childhood days, I used to watch the serious scientists travelling in the grey coloured staff buses dashing across the nook and corner of the city. Also the news of sounding rocket launches every month kindled curiosity on Space related activities – knowingly or unknowingly. During my BTech, Control Systems was one of my favourite subjects, the way in which my professor taught it. Naturally it made me take my Masters in Control Systems and later, the Doctoral degree. Though I got many job opportunities, I chose my career in Aerospace Control which was dear to me.

Can you highlight a specific project or research endeavor that you found particularly challenging and rewarding in your scientific career?

When I joined ISRO, the hot topic was the consecutive failures of ASLV – Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle. As a newly joined engineer my assignment was to attend all Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) meetings. Concurrently the design activities for PSLV were in progress and my assignment was to undertake the flight control system design for PSLV. Over more than 20 years I did the job and as time progressed I became the designer for other launch vehicles also.

Later I moved to the Core Team of GSLV Project handling mission related activities and was the first lady Associate Project Director of a launch vehicle project. As a mission executive my initial job was to coordinate and contribute in critically analysing previous failures of GSLV missions. The mission synthesis activity is multi-disciplinary in nature with aerodynamics, propulsion, control, aerospace structures – to name a few. This opportunity gave me a wide arena to sharpen my research and techno managerial skills concurrently.

As a Program Director at a space centre, how did you approach the strategic planning and execution of space programs?

Right from inception, ISRO has inculcated a unique working culture – openness. Irrespective of the hierarchy, one is at liberty to highlight their technical points and concerns. Such openness leads to clear decision making and execution at appropriate times. The designs are presented in various levels of reviews and the teams have no hesitation in implementing the suggestions. Team work and dedication are key factors in the success of various missions.

How do you foster collaboration and coordination among interdisciplinary teams to achieve program goals?

The expertise and capabilities of all teams are utilised in assessing the viability and feasibility from the conceptual stage itself for new initiatives. Technical documentation plays a pivotal role and proper documents are prepared to have coherence and transparency. Apart from the domain experts, quality personnel are fully involved in each and every activity. Reviews are of utmost importance and are conducted meticulously to iron out issues and lapses at the early stage itself.

Can you share insights into your approach to risk management in space exploration projects and programs?

Space exploration and launching of satellites for various purposes are costly. Hence, redundancy management and zero defect policy are implemented in all domains. Except for high thrust propulsion systems, wherein redundancy management is not possible, either dual or triple modular redundancy is deployed – coupled with failsafe algorithms. In proposed missions with humans, quadruple redundancy will be used. Another area where we concentrate is the adherence of quality control in each phase of the project. All sub-systems undergo the policy of ‘test as you fly, fly as you test and demonstrate margins’. The mission critical components and computers are MIL certified devices. ‘Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis’ (FMECA) is introduced in the project life cycle. Thorough reviews and risk analysis is crucial and over the years ISRO has developed protocols and ‘best practices’ for failsafe missions are sacrosanct, followed scrupulously.

How have you continued to develop professionally, and what learning experiences have been most impactful for you?

Yes, of course. Along with the growth of the organisation, I sharpened my techno managerial skills apart from my technical capability over thirty three years of career with ISRO. From a designer, I grew to managerial level and I developed myself as a capable reviewer and could chair various reviews requiring multidisciplinary skills. 

How do you engage with the public or educational institutions to promote interest in space science and exploration?

As an individual, I utilise all available opportunities to instill interest on space related activities to the younger generation – students and public. Also ISRO has well thought out outreach programmes like exhibitions, facility to witness sounding rocket launches at VSSC and also launches from Space Port at Sriharikota. There are programmes like Yuvikaand, pan India celebration of World Space Week during October 4-10 every year. ISRO promotes launch of student satellites as co-passenger satellites to instill enthusiasm amongst university students to foster research in Space in academia. ISRO has also introduced I-GRASP (ISRO-Grant in Aid for Space Research Programmes) supporting joint initiatives of faculty and student community.

What do you consider to be the most significant societal impact of space exploration, and how does your work contribute to that impact?

Except for limited missions for strategic needs, almost all missions are meant for societal purposes. They include communication, navigation and remote sensing satellites. Remote sensing satellites help agriculture in a big way in terms of mapping of various resources, like crops, terrains, water resources and fishing. Disaster management and their early warning is another area. The purpose of communication and navigation satellites is self-explanatory.

Have you been involved in mentorship programs for aspiring scientists or professionals in the space industry?

ISRO has an educational arm – IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology) at Thiruvananthapuram. The graduates from the institute join ISRO and I have mentored many students as part of their induction into VSSC. I make it a point to mentor a lot of juniors also. 

What advice would you give to women aspiring to pursue careers in space science or space program management?

In the recent past there has been a considerable growth in women joining ISRO and even then, their strength is only around 21% of the total community. With the new Space Policy of the GoI, a large number of private industries also have commenced activities in the space sector. The private sector also has a very good participation of women as designers and also in managerial cadres. There is unlimited scope for women with immense growth potential in various segments of space programmes.

How would you describe your life in 3 words?

Passion. Diligence. Dedication.

What would you write on your own fortune cookie?

Always be Positive, Success is Yours!

Dr S Geetha, a Scientist and Programme Director (Retired) at Space Transportation System, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. She holds a Doctoral degree in ‘Robust Nonlinear Control Design Techniques for Aerospace Vehicles’ from the University of Kerala. Dr Geetha has completed her M Tech in Control System Engineering from the College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram with First Rank and First Class with Distinction.

Dr Geetha has actively contributed to several projects. One such contribution was in the propulsion system review of Chandrayaan 3. As the Programme Director at Space Transportation System (STS), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Dr Geetha was responsible for Mission design and planning, the Realization of hardware, Guidance, control and simulation, Structural analysis, Programme planning and management for the PSLV, the workhorse of ISRO and prestigious GSLV Project for injecting INSAT series of satellites in Geo Synchronous Orbits.

Dr Geetha also led the Digital Autopilot Design Section of the Control Design Division. She was involved in designing and developing Digital Autopilots of Satellite Launch Vehicles of ISRO.

Dr Geetha has 35 technical publications and has bagged Best Paper and Best Presentation awards. She has been conferred with numerous prestigious awards, including the APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2022 by the APJ Abdul Kalam Study Centre; the Best Women Engineer Award for 2022 by the IEEE Kerala Section; the ISRO Merit Award of 2018 in recognition of meritorious contributions to the Indian Space programme, and the Best Woman Scientist Award in 2017 by ASI and ISRO.

Dr Geetha is a Fellow of The Institution of Engineers India, the Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers and the Aeronautical Society of India. Dr Geetha is also a Senior Member of IEEE, a Member of the Astronautical Society of India, the Systems Society of India, and the Indian Society for System Science & Engineering.

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