January 01, 2024
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist VR Lalithambika was awarded the Legion d’honneur, the highest French civilian award, to recognise her work that has enhanced space cooperation between India and France. The honour was conferred on her by Thierry Mathou, the ambassador of France to India, on November 28. Lalithambika became part of ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in 1988 and was involved in many of the organisation’s initiatives. She is a specialist in advanced launch vehicle technology and was the recipient of the Astronautical Society of India Award. She is the former director of the Directorate of the Human Spaceflight Programme at ISRO and contributed significantly to the Gaganyaan Mission. She played a vital role in various collaborations between France and India including the agreement on human spaceflight, which facilitated the exchange of space medicine experts between the two countries.
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