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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Balendra Shah's RSP makes history, registers landmark victory in Nepal elections
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Kathmandu (PTI): Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's RSP is all set to form the next government in Nepal after securing sweeping victory in crucial general elections on Saturday, decimating the established parties in the politically fragile nation.
Popularly known as Balen, the 35-year-old prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) defeated four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli, the chair of Nepal's legacy party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) -- CPN-UML -- by a huge margin of about 50,000 votes in Jhapa-5 constituency.
Balen, 35, secured 68,348 votes against 74-year-old Oli's 18,734, the Election Commission (EC) said.
He is expected to be the next prime minister of Nepal, reflecting a public mood of rejection of established parties. The RSP, which was formed in 2022 by Ravi Lamichhane, has won 72 seats out of the 90 seats for which results were declared by 9:30 pm, according to the Election Commission (EC).
RSP's seats include a clean sweep in all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu district even as it is leading in 52 seats across the country, the EC data showed.
Legacy parties failed to convince voters for whom the major issues included fighting corruption and an end to nepotism apart from a generational change in political leadership of the Himalayan nation.
The Nepali Congress (NC) won 10 and was leading in eight seats; the CPN-(UML) won just four seats and is leading in eight; the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) won two seats and is leading in five, the Shrama Shakti Party (SSP) was leading in three seats, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) won one seat, the EC data showed. Among the winners is one independent.
Nepal witnessed about 60 per cent voter turnout during the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives. The counting of votes started late Thursday night and as of 9:30 pm Saturday, counting was in progress in the remaining of the total 165 constituencies, the Election Commission said.
The election was being closely watched by India, which is hoping for a stable government in the politically fragile Himalayan nation to take forward the developmental partnership between the two sides.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the people and government of Nepal for the successful conduct of elections. “It is heartening to see my Nepali sisters and brothers exercise their democratic rights so vibrantly. This historic milestone is a proud moment in Nepal's democratic journey,” Modi said in a post on X.
Modi also said that as a close friend and neighbour, India remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely with the people of Nepal and its new government to scale new heights of shared peace, progress and prosperity.
Oli, who too was projected as the PM face of the CPN-UML, wished Balen for a full five year tenure for his government in the Himalayan nation that has seen 14 governments in the last 18 years.
“Balen babu, congratulations for the victory. I wish your five year tenure be trouble free, successful and hearty congratulations,” Oli wrote in his social media post and attached a 2022 photo showing him gifting a tabla to Balen after the rapper-turned-politician won Kathmandu mayor's election as an independent.
The RSP, which projected Balendra Shah 'Balen' as its prime ministerial candidate and had organised its first election campaign in Janakpur in Madhesh, is heading towards a clean sweep of the province.
‘Balen’, as he is popularly known, projected himself as the “son of Madhesh” during the campaign, with the party launching the campaign with 'Ab ki bar Balendra Sarkar' (This time there will be Balendra’s government) tagline.
Of the total 32 seats in eight districts of Madhesh province, the RSP has won eight and is leading in 22 other constituencies, the EC said.
The party is also making a clean sweep in the Kathmandu Valley winning all 10 seats of Kathmandu district and two in Bhaktapur and two in Lalitpur district.
The party is also leading in the remaining one seat of the Kathmandu Valley with a huge margin, possibly as a result of a massive road show led by Balen in all 15 constituencies on the last day of the election campaign.
RSP chairman Lamichhane won with a huge margin from Chitwan-2 constituency, marking his third consecutive victory with 54,402 votes against his nearest rival NC's Mina Kumari Kharel, who received 14,564 votes.
According to the Election Commission, former prime minister and NCP leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda won from Rukum Purba district by securing 10,240 votes against his rival Lilamani Gautam of CPN-(UML), who got 3,462 votes.
RPP's Gyanendra Shahi won from the Jumla constituency of Karnali province by defeating his closest rival Naresh Bhandari of the NCP and became the only candidate of the pro-monarchist RPP to have secured a seat in the House of Representatives.
The election also saw 10 women candidates win, nine of them from the RSP while one from NC.
Meanwhile, the RSP is also leading in proportional voting system with the party bagging 474,266 votes followed by Nepali Congress with 160,384. The CPN (UML) has received 127,841, Nepali Communist Party 65,363, the RPP 34,154, and Shrama Shakti Party 17,437 votes till now.
Out of a total of 275 members of the Parliament, 165 are being elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 through a proportionate method.
Around 3,400 candidates were vying for 165 seats under direct voting, and 3,135 candidates for 110 seats through proportionate voting.
The Gen Z youth, through their two-day intensified protests on September 8 and 9 last year, ousted Prime Minister Oli of the CPN-(UML), who was heading a coalition government with the backing of Nepali Congress that enjoyed nearly two-thirds majority support.
Though Balen was a popular choice to lead the interim government after Oli's ouster, he declined to lead the interim administration, saying he would prefer to contest the parliamentary election for a full term.
In January, he joined the RSP and was soon declared the party's prime ministerial candidate.
The major issues raised by Gen Z before and during the election campaign were anti-corruption, good governance, an end to nepotism, generational change in political leadership, etc.
Sunil Babu Pant, former MP and a political analyst, said, “The victory of Rastriya Swatantra Party in the March 5 elections and the expectation that Balen Shah could emerge as Nepal's next Prime Minister reflects the people's deep rooted frustration with the old political order and their hope for a new direction.”
“As Balen assumes the country's leadership, his first responsibility must be to demonstrate that corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.
Balen will also face a complex geopolitical challenge, Pant said, adding, “He must prove that he is not a puppet of any external power, western or otherwise. Nepal's leadership must carefully balance relations with all global actors and pursue an independent foreign policy that prioritises the national interest.”
