Tessy Thomas, an engineer with the DRDO will head the 5,000 km range Agni-V ballistic missile project, the first test of which will be conducted during the course of the next year. She was also closely associated with the 3,500 km medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and the advanced version of the 2,500 km Agni-II missile. Avinash Chander, project director for all Agni missile projects praised Ms. Thomas as "one of the key members of the entire Agni programme ... one of the most dedicated scientists in our team. She finds solutions to problems1.'' Thomas is an expert in solid propellant technology which forms the propulsion system of all the Agni missiles.
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he Union government has on its part allocated Rs. 2,500 crore for the Agni-V project, which is likely to incorporate new technologies such as ring laser gyroscopes and accelerators for guidance and navigation. The rocket will also be a canister-fired system giving it the operational flexibility to be launched from any part of Indian Territory.

• 1. “Missile Woman to Handle Ambitious Agni-V project,” Times of India, July 1, 2009, at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Missile-woman-to-helm-Agni-V/ar...