New Delhi, March 5, 2024: S Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), revealed in a recent interview that he was diagnosed with cancer on the day of the Aditya-L1 spacecraft launch on September 2 last year. Despite the shocking revelation, Somanath has now fully recovered after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
During the Chandrayaan-3 mission, health issues arose, but the severity wasn't apparent to Somanath at the time. It was only on the day of the Aditya-L1 launch, two months later, that a morning scan revealed a growth in his stomach. Prompt medical examinations in Chennai confirmed it as a hereditary disease.
Following the Aditya-L1 mission, Somanath underwent surgery and spent four days in the hospital. Subsequently, he underwent chemotherapy, but he is now completely cured. He resumed work soon after being discharged and emphasized that, despite initial challenges, he experiences no pain now and plans to undergo regular check-ups annually.
The 59-year-old Isro Chief, responsible for key space missions like Gaganyaan, India's space station project, and the Venus mission, remains undeterred. Before leading Isro, Somanath served as the director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. His expertise in launch vehicle design, particularly in systems engineering, structural dynamics, and pyrotechnics, has been pivotal in advancing India's space capabilities.
Born in Alappuzha, Kerala, into a Malayali family, Somanath holds a master's degree in aerospace engineering from IISc, Bangalore, with a specialization in dynamics and control. He earned his PhD from IIT Madras.
