ISRO Chief Opens Up About Being Diagnosed With Cancer, Says ‘Now Cured’

On the day Aditya L1 was set to sail through the heights of the universe, the Chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation was met with a setback.

S Somanath recently opened up about being diagnosed with cancer on the day of Aditya-L1’s launch.

On September 2, Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, was launched atop PSLV-C57 on its way to the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1. On January 6, following a four-month space voyage, it was positioned in the planned orbit around the L1 point.

“There were some health issues during Chandrayaan 3. However, I did not have a clear understanding about it,” the ISRO Chief said in an interview.

“On the day Aditya-L1 was launched, I conducted a scan in the morning of that day. That was when I realized that I had a growth in my stomach. I gained a clue about it as soon as the launch occurred, the ISRO chief revealed two months post the launch of Aditya-L1.

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He underwent scans in Chennai to confirm the speculations. He said that tests within two to three days revealed a genetic condition and he had to go through surgery.

Somanath added, “Following Aditya-L1, I was advised to undergo an operation. The operation was performed. After that, I underwent chemotherapy.”

The news came as a shock to both his immediate family and close relatives. Somnath said.”I was able to alleviate my fears.”

After defeating cancer Somanath said, “But now, I perceive cancer and its treatment as a solution. There is a message that it is not incurable.”

“I will be undergoing regular check-ups every year. I will be undergoing scans. But now, I am completely cured. I have resumed my duties,” he informed.

Who is S Somanath?

S. Somanath has served in the capacities of chairman of the Space Commission and secretary of the Department of Space Since January 14, 2022. He was previously the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

S Somanath is an authority on launch vehicle system engineering. He made notable contributions to the PSLV and GSLV Mk-III’s overall architecture, propulsion stage design, structural and structural dynamics designs, separation systems, and integration procedures.