Women in Space; making history everyday
The space sector is one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving industries in the world. From exploring new planets to developing innovative technologies, the space industry has always been at the forefront of human innovation. While the space sector has traditionally been dominated by men, women have made significant contributions to the industry over the years. In this article, we will explore the contribution of women to the space sector.
The Early Days of Women in Space
The early days of space exploration were dominated by men. However, women have always played a significant role in the industry. In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space. She spent nearly three days orbiting the Earth aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. Since then, women have continued to make significant contributions to the space industry.
Women in ISRO
ISRO has a long history of employing women in various roles, including scientists, engineers, and technicians.To name few, In 2017 that the organisation made headlines when it launched 104 satellites into orbit, with 20 of them being carried by a single rocket. The mission was led by two women scientists, Ritu Karidhal and Muthayya Vanitha.Nandini Harinath, a deputy operations director at ISRO, has been instrumental in several missions, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Also, Anuradha T.K. was a project director of the ISRO, She had worked on the launches of the satellites GSAT-12 and GSAT-10. She was the senior most female scientist at ISRO, having joined the space agency in 1982,and also the first woman to become a satellite project director at ISRO.
Women in NASA
NASA has been at the forefront of space exploration since its inception in 1958. Over the years, women have played a significant role in NASA's success. In fact, NASA's first female astronaut, Sally Ride, flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. Since then, many women have followed in her footsteps and become astronauts. Today, women make up a significant portion of NASA's workforce and are involved in all aspects of space exploration.
Women in Space Research
Space research is an essential aspect of the space industry. Women have made significant contributions to space research over the years. For example, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel to space in 1992. She was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour and conducted experiments on bone cells and weightlessness. Today, women continue to play a vital role in space research, conducting experiments and developing new technologies.
Women in Space Medicine
Space medicine is an essential aspect of space exploration. Women have played a significant role in space medicine over the years. For example, Dr. Peggy Whitson holds the record for the most time spent in space by an American astronaut. She has spent over 665 days in space and has conducted numerous experiments on the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Today, women continue to make significant contributions to space medicine, developing new treatments and technologies to keep astronauts healthy in space.
Women in Space Engineering
Space engineering is another critical aspect of the space industry. Women have made significant contributions to space engineering over the years. For example, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar is a former NASA astronaut who went on five space missions and has a Ph.D. in mechanical/biomedical engineering. Today, women continue to play a vital role in space engineering, designing new spacecraft and developing new technologies.
Women in Space Entrepreneurship
Space entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing field within the space industry. Women have been at the forefront of this field, starting their own companies and developing new technologies. For example, Dr. Anita Sengupta is the founder of Hydroplane, a company that develops high-speed electric propulsion systems for aircraft and spacecraft. Today, women continue to make significant contributions to space entrepreneurship, starting new companies and developing new technologies.
Challenges Faced by Women in Space
Despite their significant contributions to the space industry, women still face many challenges in this field. For example, women are still underrepresented in many areas of the industry, including engineering and leadership positions. Additionally, women often face discrimination and harassment in male-dominated fields like space exploration.
The Importance of Diversity in Space
Diversity is essential in any industry, including the space industry. Having a diverse workforce can lead to new ideas and perspectives that can drive innovation and progress. Additionally, diversity can help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute to the industry.
The Future of Women in Space
The future of women in space is bright. As more women enter STEM fields { Science, Technology,, Engineering & Mathematics} and pursue careers in the space industry, we can expect to see even more significant contributions from women in this field. Additionally, as more attention is paid to diversity and inclusion within the industry, we can expect to see more opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups.
Women have made significant contributions to the space industry over the years. From exploring new planets to developing innovative technologies, women have played a vital role in every aspect of space exploration. While there are still challenges facing women in this field, we can expect to see even more significant contributions from women in the future as more attention is paid to diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Girish Linganna
Aerospace & Defence Analyst
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SC rejects plea alleging glitches in UMEED waqf portal, grants liberty to approach authorities
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by a waqf mutawalli alleging technical and structural deficiencies in the Centre’s UMEED portal meant for uploading details of waqf properties.
Observing that the issues raised were largely administrative in nature, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed the plea.
The bench, however, granted the liberty to petitioner Hashmat Ali, a mutawalli (caretaker) of a waqf, to approach the appropriate authorities for redressal of grievances.
“We see no ground to entertain this writ petition. The petitioner may be well advised to approach the prescribed authority for clarification or addressing of grievances for which liberty is granted,” the CJI said in the order.
At the outset, the CJI questioned the maintainability of the plea on the ground as to why it was filed in the top court directly. “Why did you not approach the high court?” the CJI asked.
Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for Ali, said the high court was unlikely to entertain the matter since challenges to the 2025 amendments to the Waqf law were already pending before the top court.
However, the CJI noted that the present petition did not raise any substantive constitutional challenge to the amendments, but was instead focused on “administrative difficulties” in using the portal. Such grievances, the court said, could be addressed by the high court or the authorities concerned.
The senior lawyer said apart from technical glitches, the petition also raised concerns regarding the classification of waqfs under the Waqf Rules, 2025.
She said that the category of 'Waqf by survey' had been subsumed under 'Waqf by user,' and that the UMEED Portal did not provide any separate option for 'Waqf by survey' in its drop-down menu.
Justice Bagchi noted that the ministry had clarified that 'Waqf by survey' stood subsumed within the 'Waqf by user' category.
Ali, a mutawalli from Madhya Pradesh, challenged the enforceability of the digital uploading mandate under Section 3B of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
The petitioner alleged that the UMEED portal, notified under the UMEED Rules, 2025, was structurally defective and technologically unfit for registering waqf properties.
On December 1 last year, the top court had refused to extend time for the mandatory registration of all waqf properties, including 'waqf by user', under the UMEED portal.
The Centre launched the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act central portal on June 6 to create a digital inventory after geo-tagging all waqf properties.
According to the mandate of the UMEED portal, details of all registered waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded within six months.
