A saree worn by Indian house scientist Nandini Harinath throughout a serious milestone in India’s Mars Orbiter Mission has grow to be a part of an exhibit on the Smithsonian Nationwide Air and House Museum in Washington, DC.
Identified globally for displaying historic plane, spacecraft and aviation artefacts, the museum has now added an merchandise tied to India’s house journey — a saree worn by one in every of ISRO’s distinguished ladies scientists in the course of the profitable launch section of the nation’s first interplanetary mission.
The garment belonged to Harinath, one of many Indian House Analysis Organisation’s celebrated “rocket ladies”, who performed a key position within the Mars Orbiter Mission, also called Mangalyaan.
Who Is Nandini Harinath?
Nandini Harinath was born and raised in India to a mom who labored as a arithmetic instructor and a father who was an engineer.
Earlier than becoming a member of Indian House Analysis Organisation, she accomplished each her undergraduate and postgraduate research in engineering.
Over a profession spanning greater than twenty years, she has contributed to over 14 missions at ISRO.
Reflecting on her work throughout an earlier interplay with Condé Nast Traveller, Harinath had stated, “Each you’re employed on feels prefer it’s crucial.”
Nonetheless, she described the Mars Orbiter Mission as significantly memorable due to the nationwide and world consideration it obtained.
“However Mangalyaan was particular due to the variety of individuals watching us. And it feels nice to be recognised in your experience and competence. The PM shook fingers with us. NASA congratulated us; they’re now collaborating with us. However it’s not simply the business, it is the broader public, establishments, colleges—they’re all so ! They’re even following it on social media,” she stated.
How Star Trek Impressed Her House Journey
Throughout an look at ET Enterprise AI’s Making AI Work Summit 2025 in Bengaluru, Harinath spoke about how her fascination with house exploration started throughout childhood.
“There was this highly regarded serial on TV referred to as Star Trek,” she recalled.
“My complete household had been absolute followers—we wouldn’t miss a single episode. One other movie I beloved watching repeatedly was Apollo 13. These tales of exploration and teamwork stayed with me,” she added.
Her remarks supplied a glimpse into how in style science-fiction and house dramas impressed a era of Indian scientists who later grew to become a part of the nation’s quickly rising house programme.
Why The Saree Is Being Displayed
The Smithsonian museum defined the importance of the saree in a submit shared on Instagram.
“One in all India’s ‘Rocket Ladies,’ Nandini Harinath helped her nation attain Mars. She wore this saree to work the day the Indian House Analysis Group’s spacecraft efficiently left Earth’s orbit and commenced its 300-day journey to Mars,” the museum wrote.
The museum additional stated, “As a rocket scientist and the Mars Orbiter Mission’s deputy operations director, Harinath was integral to mission planning and operations. Far exceeding its mission of six to 10 months, the spacecraft spent eight years in orbit, documenting Mars’ floor and ambiance.”
It added, “The staff’s success made India the primary Asian nation and the fourth nation on the earth to achieve Mars. The sarees worn by the mission’s ladies leaders got here to represent their nationwide id and India’s success in house.”
The museum additionally shared visuals of a model dressed within the saree, describing it as “a vibrant pink and blue sari with intricate patterns”.
“The sari features a blue shirt and a pink and blue draped material with detailed designs,” it added.
What Was The Mangalyaan Mission?
The Mars Orbiter Mission, popularly often called Mangalyaan, was Indian House Analysis Organisation’s first interplanetary mission.
The spacecraft was launched from Satish Dhawan House Centre on November 5, 2013.
Based on ISRO, the mission aimed “to check key applied sciences for interplanetary exploration and to make use of its 5 science devices to review the Martian floor and ambiance from orbit.”
The mission grew to become a landmark second for India’s house programme after the spacecraft efficiently entered Mars orbit in 2014, making India the primary Asian nation and the fourth nation globally to attain the feat.
Initially anticipated to final between six and 10 months, the spacecraft remained operational for almost eight years, considerably exceeding expectations and strengthening India’s status in cost-effective house exploration.
