– Radiance Correspondent
The resounding success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, characterised by the flawless lunar landing at the moon’s South Pole, owes a significant debt to the contributions of young Muslims in India.
The immense pride emanating from this accomplishment resonates throughout the nation. ISRO has firmly established itself among the world’s elite space organisations, a testament to the unwavering dedication of its scientists, many of whom hail from distinguished institutions such as AMU and JMI. Remarkably, the spotlight shines on four exceptional individuals: Ms. Khushboo Mirza (BTech, AMU), a pivotal force behind the launch pad operations of Chandrayaan mission 1, and Areeb Ahmad (BTech, JMI), a key figure in Chandrayaan mission 3.
Within the ranks of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 project team, a cohort of dynamic young Muslim minds has played a pivotal and irreplaceable role. Among these, Mohd. Kashif and Areeb Ahmad stand out as prominent figures in the third lunar mission – an accomplishment that solidifies India’s place as the first nation to achieve a landing near the Moon’s South Pole. Both Kashif and Ahmad completed their B.Tech degrees in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering & Technology, JMI, in 2019. Their exceptional aptitude was brilliantly showcased when they successfully cleared ISRO’s Centralised Recruitment Board-2019 Exam, securing esteemed positions as Scientists/Engineers. Impressively, Mohd. Kashif claimed the top rank in the examination, leading to their selection for the role of Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’-Mechanical (Post No. BE002).
Reflecting on this landmark achievement, JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar (Padma Shri) expressed that Kashif and Ahmad have now transcended into role models for the current student body. Their accomplishments serve as a guiding light, motivating aspiring students to strive relentlessly, thereby elevating the nation to unparalleled heights.
Areeb Ahmad, an alumnus of mechanical engineering from Jamia Millia Islamia (2015-19 batch), emerges as a youthful scientist whose contributions significantly fortified the success of Chandrayaan-3. Originating from the Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, his involvement at ISRO’s Sriharikota facility, where he held a pivotal role in the inspection team, laid the very groundwork for Chandrayaan-3’s triumphant launch on July 14, 2023. The culmination of his endeavours materialised as the spacecraft achieved its historic landing on the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, an accomplishment realised within an incredibly short span of six weeks.
Ishrat Jamal, another luminary within the Chandrayaan-3 project, boasts a B.Tech in electrical engineering from AMU and an M.Tech in Power and Control from IIT, Kanpur. With a commendable six-year tenure at ISRO, Jamal stands as a testament to unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise. He currently serves at ISRO’s research facility in Bengaluru, with his proficiency in designing and developing space-qualified Electronic Power Conditioners (EPCs)/Power Supplies for diverse Radio Frequency (RF) subsystems, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads, underscoring his technical prowess.
Akhtedar Abbas, originally hailing from the Gonda district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and presently stationed at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, has made substantial contributions to the Chandrayaan-3 project. His academic journey spans from Aligarh Muslim University to Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. Equipped with a background that encompasses teaching and operational management, his involvement brings boundless pride to the nation.
Sana Firoz, an accomplished B.Tech graduate (2006-2010) in electronics and communications engineering from Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, played a pivotal role among the 54 female scientists and engineers responsible for the triumph of Chandrayaan-3. Originating from Mau, a quaint town neighbouring Azamgarh, her contributions, alongside her husband Yasser Ammar (also a B.Tech. graduate from the same institution), stands as a remarkable testament to their dedication and proficiency. Both individuals have been integral members of ISRO’s Mohali facility, with Yasser’s research papers, including one published in ISRO’s prestigious Journal of Spacecraft Technology, serving as a testament to their substantive contributions.
Mohammed Sabir Alam, equipped with a B.Tech degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, has been a driving force behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission from ISRO’s Thiruvananthapuram centre since 2018.