Know All About Aditya's Project Director Nigar Shaji, Proud of Tenkasi

In a remarkable feat of scientific achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) added another milestone to its illustrious history on Saturday with the successful launch of the Aditya L1 solar mission. This ambitious endeavor represents a significant step forward for India's space exploration efforts, following the recent triumph of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar expedition.

The Prime Mover of Aditya L-1:

The driving force behind the Aditya L1 mission is Project Director Nigar Shaji, a seasoned veteran with an impressive 35-year career at ISRO. Shaji's contributions to the organization span a wide spectrum, encompassing vital roles in projects related to Indian Remote Sensing, communication, and interplanetary satellites. Her dedication and expertise have played a pivotal role in shaping the success of this mission.

Hailing from the vibrant state of Tamil Nadu, specifically the town of Tenkasi, Shaji joins a prestigious list of individuals from the state who have led the charge in steering India's space exploration efforts. Among these luminaries are Mayilsamy Annadurai, M Vanitha, and P Veeramuthuvel, who have overseen the nation's previous lunar missions.

Shaji's journey within ISRO began in 1987 when she joined the ISRO Satellite Centre. Over the years, she has assumed key roles, including that of Associate Project Director of Resourcesat-2A, an integral component of the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite system dedicated to national resource monitoring and management. Her expertise extends to various facets of space science, as reflected in her authorship of numerous papers on topics such as image compression and system engineering.

Education Background of Nigar Shaji:

Having pursued her education in the field of electronics and communication, Shaji holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Madurai Kamaraj University and a master's degree in Electronics from BIT Ranchi. Her leadership also extended to serving as the Head of the Satellite Telemetry Centre at ISRO's Bengaluru facility.

Central to the Aditya L1 mission is its main payload, the Visible Line Emission Coronagraph (VELC), developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru. This cutting-edge instrument promises to provide valuable insights into the Sun's activities and behavior.

In a symbolic moment of handover, the VELC payload was transferred to the U R Rao Satellite Centre on January 26, 2023, in the presence of ISRO Chairman S Somanath and the indefatigable Nigar Shaji. As India sets its sights on unraveling the mysteries of our closest star, Shaji's leadership and the dedication of the entire ISRO team promise to propel the nation into a bright future of scientific discovery and innovation.

Historical Facts About ISRO's Mission:

• In 2006 scientists with the Astronomical Society of India and the Indian Academy of Sciences proposed the concept of a solar observatory with a single instrument.
• In March 2008, scientists shared the proposal with ISRO.
• December 2009: ISRO approved the Aditya-1 project with a single instrument.
• April 2013: After former Chairman U. R. Rao's major intervention ISRO issued an 'announcement of opportunity', calling on the scientific community for proposals for more scientific instruments (payloads).
• In June 2013: ISRO reviewed scientific proposals received.
• July 2013: ISRO selected the seven payloads for the Aditya-1 mission.
• November 2015: ISRO formally approved Aditya-L1.
• The 23.40-hour countdown concluded, and the 44.4-metre-tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soared majestically at the prefixed time of 11.50 am from Sriharikota.
• Aditya-L1 is the first space-based observatory to study the Sun.

The spacecraft, after traveling about 1.5 million km from the Earth over 125 days, is expected to be placed in a Halo orbit around the Lagrangian point L1 which is considered closest to the Sun.