V. R. Lalithambika

Dr. V. R. Lalithambika (born 1962) is an Indian engineer and scientist who has been working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). She is a specialist in Advanced Launcher Technologies and was leading the Gaganyaan mission to send Indian astronauts to space by 2022.

Early life Lalithambika was born in 1962 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The proximity of her house to the Thumba rocket testing centre got her fascinated by ISRO, right from her childhood. Her exposure to science started very early primarily because of her grandfather, who used to make gadgets like lenses, microscopes, etc. at the house itself and also kept her updated about ISRO's work. Her grandfather was a mathematician, an astronomer, and a gadget-maker. Her father was also an engineer. She led a team that designed rocket control and guidance systems. She has worked with various ISRO rockets including the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).

Awards She was awarded the Space Gold Medal (2001), ISRO Individual Merit Award and ISRO Performance Excellence Award (2013).

Personal life Her husband Pradeep Kumar A. B. is former Chairman of Kerala State Pollution Control Board.