ISRO Chief S. Somanath Achieves PhD from IIT-Madras: A Testament to Dedication and Excellence

This has been a proud moment for the Indian Space Research Organisation and the academic fraternity: its illustrious Chairman, S. Somanath, was awarded a PhD in Engineering by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, on July 19. The PhD was awarded during the institute’s 61st convocation and marked a high point in Somanath’s illustrious career.

Somanath’s academic journey culminated with the completion of his doctoral thesis titled “Vibration Response Studies on Modified Hyper-Elastic Material Models for Application in Aerospace Systems.” This dissertation represents his broad research in the field of mechanical engineering, with an emphasis on vibration isolators, a topic of interest to him for several decades. It is emblematic of his commitment to the advancement of aerospace technology and a deep connection to the work that defined so much of his career.

The awarding of this PhD was therefore testament to Somanath’s unwavering dedication and hard work. This PhD, unlike many honorary degrees bestowed on him in recognition of his contributions to space exploration and engineering, is truly an academic achievement that has been earned by rigorous research and scholarship. Somanath’s doctoral journey began several years ago. The perseverance in seeing it through reflects his intellectual rigor in staying the course toward advancing knowledge in engineering.

1. Somanath has contributed considerably to ISRO. He led from the front in the success of India’s third unmanned mission to the moon, accomplishing the historic soft landing on the far side of the moon. His leadership and technical acumen were at the forefront in developing and deploying the Launch Vehicle Mark-3—_delegate, which happens to be an important launch vehicle for India in its space exploration initiatives. The technical and managerial acumen that he has shown in these projects has earned him wide recognition and respect in the global space community.

Talking about the recent achievement, Somanath terms his PhD as not only a “great honor” but also something more along the lines of a “village boy’s dream come true.” His journey from a rural backgrounds to one of the main protagonists in space science and engineering inspires. Despite all his brilliance and singular contributions to the subject, he was too timid to take an IIT entrance exam. His dreams of graduating from such a prestigious institution have now been realized, making his PhD a deep personal triumph.

The case of Somanath pursuing a PhD for 35 years exemplifies the fact that there is no time limit to academic and scientific pursuits. His PhD work was well aligned with research in vibration isolators, which he took up initially as an engineer with ISRO. This continuation of interest and research from his early career to the present provides an example of what it takes to distinguish oneself in scholarship.

Somanath’s achievement therefore is a testimony to his commitment, but it also is a testimony to the excellence in standards and academic rigor that IIT-Madras has been maintaining. Its robust commitment towards betterment in the engineering and technology sectors is reflected through its alumni and currently graduating professionals, who have been delivering highly acclaimed services, thereby upholding its name as one of the premier centers of excellence for higher education and research globally.

The new academic distinction comes to embellish his credentials as a scientist and leader as Somanath continues to steer ISRO with vision and professional acumen. It is symbolic of the confluence between very stringent academic scholarship and scientific innovation of the highest order with the same spirit of inquiry and excellence driving ISRO and IIT-Madras.

This thus means that S. Somanath’s PhD in Engineering from IIT-Madras is a factor of great importance in his life. It reflects the mix of academic rigor and professional achievement. His journey from a village setup, to becoming one of the top space scientists working with ISRO, and getting a doctorate from one of the premier institutions in India is simply amazing about factors of perseverance, dedication, and excellence in engineering and space exploration.