Washington DC: A saree worn by Indian space scientist Nandini Harinath during a historic moment of India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) has been showcased at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., bringing global recognition to India’s achievements in space exploration.
The saree, described by the museum as “a vibrant red and blue sari with intricate patterns,” is now part of a special exhibit featuring iconic artifacts linked to aviation and space history from around the world.
The Smithsonian shared photos and videos of the display, showing a mannequin dressed in the saree worn by Harinath on the day ISRO’s Mars spacecraft successfully left Earth’s orbit and began its 300-day journey to the Red Planet.
In its official note, the museum praised Nandini Harinath as one of India’s “Rocket Women” and highlighted her contribution to the Mars Orbiter Mission.
“As a rocket scientist and the mission’s deputy operations director, Harinath was integral to mission planning and operations,” the museum stated.
India’s Mars Orbiter Mission made history in 2014 when it successfully entered Mars’ orbit on its very first attempt. India became the first Asian nation and the fourth country in the world to reach Mars.
Originally designed for a mission life of six to 10 months, the spacecraft continued operating for nearly eight years, collecting valuable data on Mars’ atmosphere and surface.
The inclusion of Harinath’s saree in the Smithsonian exhibit has received widespread praise online, with many calling it a proud moment for India and a strong symbol of women’s growing role in science and technology.
Social media users described the display as recognition not only of India’s scientific progress but also of the contributions made by women scientists at ISRO.
Nandini Harinath is among ISRO’s most recognised women scientists and played a key role in India’s first interplanetary mission.
Coming from a family with academic and engineering backgrounds, Harinath developed an interest in science early in life. Her mother was a mathematics teacher, while her father worked as an engineer.
Before joining ISRO, she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she has contributed to over 14 ISRO missions.
In an earlier interview, Harinath said that every mission feels like the most important one while working on it. She has also credited popular science-fiction shows and films like Star Trek and Apollo 13 for inspiring her interest in space exploration.
