Who is Sheena Rani? The DRDO expert leading the Agni-5 missile test in 'Mission Divyastra'

PTC News Desk: Leading a team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), missile specialist Sheena Rani spearheaded India's maiden flight test of the Agni-5 missile, equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Under the banner of 'Mission Divyastra', India achieved a significant milestone on Monday with the successful test launch of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. This test establishes India's membership in an exclusive group of nations possessing MIRV technology.

The Agni-5 missile, meticulously crafted by the DRDO, surpassed all predefined parameters during the test, demonstrating its formidable MIRV capabilities, as reported by the defence ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended their felicitations to the diligent scientists of DRDO for the flawless execution of the test.

At the forefront of this monumental achievement was a female scientist from DRDO, Sheena Rani, along with other women scientists. Shankari Chandrasekaran served as the project director, while Sheena Rani assumed the role of programme director for the Agni-5 project.

Working tirelessly at DRDO's Advanced Systems Laboratory, Sheena Rani played a pivotal role in the development of the Agni-5 missile, incorporating advanced MIRV technology.

This sophisticated missile, propelled by a three-stage solid fuel engine, boasts an impressive range exceeding 5,000 km. MIRVs, with their capability to carry multiple warheads, possess significantly enhanced destructive potential compared to conventional single-warhead missiles. In addition to Agni-5, DRDO has also engineered various other variants within the Agni missile series, including Agni-1 (700 km range), Agni-2 (2,000 km range), Agni-3 (3,000 km range), and Agni-4 (4,000 km range).

Also Read: Five-eyes ally raises doubts on Canada's evidence in Nijjar assassination

Also Read: Massive explosion in China's Yanjiao causes damage to numerous buildings and vehicles: Reports

Meet Sheena Rani: The brain behind DRDO's Agni-5

Sheena Rani, a missile specialist, led a team at DRDO responsible for India's historic flight test of the Agni-5 missile featuring MIRV technology. Serving as the programme director at DRDO's ASL facility in Hyderabad, this 57-year-old played a pivotal role in shaping the missile project.

Reports suggest that Sheena Rani holds a degree in electronics and communications engineering, coupled with specialised expertise in computer science. She commenced her academic journey at the College of Engineering in Thiruvananthapuram and garnered eight years of invaluable experience at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), India's premier civilian rocketry laboratory.

Following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, Sheena Rani made a lateral entry into DRDO in 1999, marking the beginning of her significant contributions to the Agni missile programme. Driven by the inspiration of the renowned 'Missile Man,' former DRDO chief, and President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, Sheena Rani has accumulated numerous accolades throughout her tenure at DRDO, including the prestigious "Scientist of the Year" award in 2016.

Her husband, PSRS Sastry, shares her association with DRDO and has made notable contributions to missile projects. He was notably involved in the Kautilya Satellite launched by ISRO in 2019, dedicated to gathering electronic intelligence.

Also Read: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar resigns amid BJP-JJP discord over Lok Sabha seats

Also Read: How to apply for Indian citizenship under CAA | Explained

(Inputs from agencies)

-

Join Whatsapp Channel