Meet These 5 Women ISRO Scientists Who Have Made The Nation Proud

In any field, success knows no gender boundaries, and it's something we should all cheer for. And every success deserves an applause. The achievements of women scientists is extra special as it takes some notable courage to break the generational stereotypes, step in a field dominated by males and outshine with your achievements. It is an honor to bring to you the stories of some stellar women scientists of ISRO who have achieved glorious things at work and deserve the recognition and applause long due to them. 

1. N Valarmathi

Source: The New Indian Express

At the helm of the RISAT-1 project, India's inaugural Radar Imaging Satellite, Valarmathi made history by becoming the first recipient of the Abdul Kalam Award in 2015, an honor established by the Government of Tamil Nadu in tribute to the esteemed former president Abdul Kalam.

Her journey with ISRO began in 1984, and over the years, she played integral roles in various missions, including Insat 2A, IRS IC, IRS ID, and TES. Notably, Valarmathi is the second woman scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to lead a prestigious project, following in the footsteps of T K Anuradha, who directed the GSAT-12 mission in 2011. Valarmathi's trailblazing leadership and contributions underscore her pivotal role in advancing India's capabilities in space exploration.

2. Nandini Harinath

Source: The Pragyan Blog on Medium

Introduced to the wonders of science through Star Trek on television, Ms. Harinath's journey led her to become the Deputy Director at ISRO. With pride, she observes the Mars Orbiter Mission featured on the new 2000 rupee notes. Having dedicated nearly two decades to ISRO since it became her first job, Harinath reflects, "If you're immersed in mission operations, there's no need for science fiction movies; we experience excitement in our daily routines."

As the Project Manager for Mission Design and Deputy Operations Director for the Mars Orbiter Mission, being part of the Mars mission stands out as a pinnacle in her life. Yet, it was far from an easy endeavor, demanding long and arduous workdays. In the mission's early stages, scientists invested about 10 hours a day, which escalated to 12 to 14 hours as the launch date drew near.

While the Mars mission represents a monumental achievement, Harinath emphasizes the importance of looking forward. "The cosmic neighborhood awaits exploration, with numerous planets beckoning us. It's time to embark on new ventures beyond the accomplishments of the Mars mission," she declares.

3. Anuradha TK

Source: Black Hat

As the most senior woman officer at ISRO, the vast expanse of the sky is merely a starting point for her expertise. Specializing in launching communication satellites that orbit at least 36,000km from the Earth's center, this scientist's journey with ISRO spans an impressive 34 years.

Her fascination with space ignited at the age of nine, inspired by the Apollo launch and Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing. In an era without television, her parents and teachers shared the news, sparking her imagination. The enchantment led her to compose a poem in Kannada, her native language, about a man setting foot on the moon.

Considered a role model by fellow women scientists at ISRO, Ms. Anuradha challenges the notion that women and science are incompatible. Joining ISRO in 1982, when female representation was sparse, she reminisces about a time when she and a handful of women engineers stood out. Today, she proudly notes that over 20-25% of ISRO's 16,000-plus workforce are women, and the novelty has worn off.

4. Ritu Karidhal

Source: Ted Talks

Growing up in Lucknow, a northern Indian city, Ms. Ritu Karidhal, as a young girl, was captivated by the vast sky, pondering the mysteries of the moon's changing size and the enigmatic dark spaces beyond. Fueled by her love for physics and math, she avidly scoured newspapers for information on NASA and ISRO projects, collecting clippings and devouring every detail related to space science.

After completing her postgraduate degree, she took a leap into the cosmos by applying for a position at ISRO, marking the beginning of her 18-year journey as a space scientist. Her notable contributions include working on prestigious projects like the Mars mission, catapulting her and her colleagues into the limelight. With a mere 18-month window to capture Mars starting in April 2012, the challenge was monumental, especially considering the absence of prior experience in interplanetary missions.

Despite being a mother of two young children, Ms. Karidhal managed the demanding workload, crediting her family, husband, and siblings for the crucial support that allowed her to maintain a work-life balance. Reflecting on the Mars mission's achievement, she emphasizes the need for continuous efforts, stating, they have more to do and achieve for the entire nation.

5. Moumita Dutta

Source: Moumita's LinkedIn Handle

One fine day in Kolkata, Moumita Dutta was engrossed in an Anandabazar Patrika article about India's maiden lunar probe, Chandrayaan 1. Captivated by the idea of being part of such groundbreaking endeavors, she pondered the opportunities that lay ahead. Armed with an M Tech degree in Applied Physics from the University of Kolkata, Moumita embarked on her journey by joining the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad back in 2006.

Since then, her trajectory has been marked by involvement in prestigious projects like Oceansat, Resourcesat, HySAT, Chandrayaan 1, and the Mars Orbiter Mission. Fast forward to 2015, and Dutta emerged as one of the top scientists at ISRO, contributing significantly to the acclaimed Mars Orbiter Mission.

Today, she leads a team dedicated to advancing indigenous progress in optical sciences as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. Moumita Dutta's story exemplifies a remarkable journey from reading about space missions in a newspaper to spearheading initiatives that contribute to India's advancements in space exploration.

Final Thoughts

Whether breaking gender stereotypes or leading prestigious missions, these scientists have not only made significant contributions to ISRO but have also become inspirations for aspiring scientists worldwide. As we marvel at their achievements, it is clear that the trajectory of their careers is a trajectory of progress, illustrating that the cosmos truly knows no bounds for those with a thirst for knowledge and a determination to explore the unknown.