Legion of Honor: ISRO scientist Lalitambika gets France's highest civilian award

ISRO scientist V R Lalitambika has been honored with France's highest civilian award. He was given this award on Tuesday by French Ambassador to India Thierry Matthau. The Legion of Honor, the highest civilian award, was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

This award is given for the highest work for France. Citizenship is not considered in this. On behalf of the French Embassy, it has been said that advanced launch vehicle technology expert Lalitambika has been associated with the work of many rockets of ISRO. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is special among these.

"I am delighted to confer the Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur on Dr. VR Lalitambika," French Ambassador Mathieu said in a social media post. Lalitambika is a distinguished scientist and pioneer in space technology. Their expertise, achievements, and tireless efforts have written an ambitious new chapter in the long history of the India-French space partnership.

In 2018, as the Director of the Human Space Flight Programme, she coordinated the Gaganyaan project with the French National Space Agency (CNES). After receiving the award, Lalitambika said I hoped that this honor would inspire other women to choose their goal and move forward on it.