Trailblazing the Cosmos: The Pioneers of India's Mangalyaan

May 17, 20242 min read

Updated: Aug 15, 2024

Welcome to Asia in Science! I am Mihika Singhania. Today we’re talking about the unsung hero(in)es who laid the groundwork for ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission.

Constrained resources, pressing deadlines and scarce budgets; the women of India have rewritten the stars, against all odds.

"When Mangalyaan soars into the sky, it carries not only our dreams but also the hopes and aspirations of every young girl who dreams of reaching for the stars. Today, we prove that the sky is not the limit – it is just the beginning."

-Dr. Ritu Karidhal

(Deputy Operations Director, Mars Orbiter Mission)

Amidst the grand fervour of scientific innovations and the hum of supercomputers, gathered a prodigious team of three physicists, who would go on to spearhead the Mangalyaan Mission. Dr Nandini Harinath, Dr Anuradha T.K., and Dr Ritu Karidhal were among the countless women whose sheer determination transcended every boulder, weaving history, one planet at a time. Ineluctably entrenched in the crucible of formidable challenges, they fiercely reshaped the global narrative of space exploration.

On 5th November 2013, the Mangalyaan aboard the PSLV, left a trail of dreams in its wake, exceeding all expectations. With pioneering autonomous navigation that allowed it to effortlessly navigate the treacherous terrain of space, it seemingly defied gravity. Mangalyaan embarked on a voyage of discovery that would push the limits of aerospace engineering. Our heroines, behind the launch of the Mars Orbiter, were unsung but weren’t forgotten.

Dr Nandini’s calm demeanour and sharp intellect served as the guiding light in this sea of uncertainty, coupled with Dr Ritu’s boundless vision that reached beyond the stars. Cloaked behind the mission’s palpable uproar, lay a steely vulnerability- the fear of failure that haunted ISRO’s scientists and engineers, every step of the way. With hearts in their throats, seeing the launch vehicle’s engines roar, there was hope. About 10 months later, Mangalyaan’s faint yet unmistakable signal echoed across the vast expanse of space. The brainchild of three Indian women, who hailed from small towns, had traversed interplanetary space.

Cheers erupted, tears flowed freely, and the journey was not about landing on Mars- it was a testament to the indomitable spirit of women revolutionaries across history. Theirs is a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination—a story that continues to inspire generations to reach for the stars and beyond. In the years since Mangalyaan’s historic journey, Dr Ritu’s words hold true; with dedication, resolve, and a touch of ingenuity, the sky is truly the limit.

Thank you for reading my blog! I hope these remarkable scientists inspired you.

Please stay curious and alert for new blogs on Asian scientific contributions and inventions.