Dr. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, known as India’s “rocket woman,” has propelled her nation’s space program to new heights with groundbreaking missions. Fascinated by space since her early days in Lucknow, Dr. Karidhal pursued a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the renowned Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Since joining ISRO in 1997, she has become a symbol of India’s prowess in space exploration.
As Mission Director for Chandrayaan-3, Dr. Karidhal showcased her leadership and technical expertise. The mission’s success established India as the first country to reach Mars on its maiden attempt under her guidance as Deputy Operations Director for Mangalyaan, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
Recognized with the prestigious ‘ISRO Young Scientist Award’ and the ‘ISRO Team Award for MOM in 2015,’ Dr. Karidhal’s contributions have garnered acclaim. Her research papers, published in national and international journals, have expanded the frontiers of knowledge.