India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, embarked on its successful journey on July 14th at 2:35 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Spanning a distance of over 300,000 km, it is set to arrive at the moon in the upcoming weeks. As Chandrayaan-3 gracefully soared into the sky, a wave of elation surged through the homes across India, shattering the roof with resounding cheers.

"Chandrayaan-3 unfurls a new chapter in India's extraordinary space odyssey. It ascends to great heights, uplifting the dreams and aspirations of every Indian. This monumental feat stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our brilliant scientists. I extend my heartfelt salutations to their indomitable spirit and remarkable ingenuity!" tweeted PM Modi.

At the forefront of this historic mission is Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, affectionately known as India's 'rocket woman.' She serves as a senior scientist at ISRO and held the position of Deputy Operations Director during India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Mangalyaan.

Key insights about Ritu Karidhal Srivastava: Born and raised in Lucknow, Ritu Karidhal Srivastava is a distinguished scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). She obtained her MSc in Physics from Lucknow University in 1996, followed by an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

Recognized as India's "Rocket Woman" for her exceptional contributions to the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and various other space endeavors.

Ritu Karidhal Srivastava commenced her journey with ISRO in 1997, garnering numerous accolades throughout her career. Some notable honors include the ISRO Young Scientist Award in 2007, the ISRO Team Award for MOM in 2015, the ASI Team Award, and the Women Achievers in Aerospace in 2017.

She is an outstanding engineer and a dedicated leader, leaving an indelible mark on India's space program. A beacon of inspiration for women in STEM fields, she serves as a role model to countless individuals worldwide.

Srivastava's expertise extends beyond boundaries, with more than 20 papers published in esteemed international and national publications. She has actively contributed to several prestigious missions of ISRO, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), the Chandrayaan-1 mission, the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the GSAT-6A mission, and the GSAT-7A mission.

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