[UG/MS/PhD] Distinguished Lecture: Former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath – Oct 8

The following announcement is from [Luis Saballos – lsaballo@usc.edu]. Please contact them directly if you have any questions.

Engineering Humanity’s Future: Lessons from Space and Beyond

Dear Viterbi Community,

You are invited to attend a distinguished lecture by Dr. S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and aerospace innovation leader.

RSVP HERE

“Engineering Humanity’s Future: Lessons from Space and Beyond”

Dr. Somanath will share insights on international collaboration in space exploration, cost-effective innovation, and how engineering solutions transcend borders to address global challenges. His work exemplifies how diverse perspectives and partnerships drive breakthrough achievements.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
• Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
• Location: Ginsburg Hall (GCS) Auditorium, USC

This lecture is valuable for students and professionals across all disciplines – engineering, business, sciences, policy, and beyond.

Hosted by: Prof. Azad Madni, Prof. Dan Erwin, and Prof. Paul Ronney

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP HERE

About Dr. S. Somanath

The visionary behind India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing, Dr. S. Somanath brings four decades of aerospace leadership as former ISRO Chairman. He champions global collaboration and breakthrough innovation in space exploration. His work offers lessons in resilience, creative problem-solving, and engineering for the betterment of humanity, providing valuable insights for students and professionals across all disciplines.

Currently serving as Chancellor of Chanakya University, Dr. Somanath holds a Ph.D. from IIT Madras and a gold medal in Aerospace Engineering from IISc Bengaluru. Throughout his career, he has pioneered cost-effective approaches to space technology, demonstrating how resource constraints can drive innovation rather than limit ambition. His leadership philosophy emphasizes building diverse, collaborative teams and fostering partnerships across nations and institutions. From developing launch vehicles to enabling commercial space ventures, Dr. Somanath’s contributions showcase how engineering excellence combined with strategic thinking can expand humanity’s horizons.

Published on October 7th, 2025Last updated on October 7th, 2025