The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has a new addition to its interplanetary science collection: an Indian sari. This vibrant red and blue silk sari, worn by Nandini Harinath, an Indian space scientist, on the most critical day of India's Mars mission, is a powerful symbol of national pride and scientific achievement. But what makes this sari truly remarkable is the story behind it and the impact it could have on inspiring the next generation of women in science.
Nandini, the deputy operations director for Mangalyaan, India's maiden Mars Orbiter Mission, chose this sari for a reason. It was a do-or-die moment, the most critical operation in the mission, and she wanted to represent India's space agency with pride. The sari, especially those gifted by her father, have been a go-to outfit for big days at work or whenever she represents India's space agency. And so, on December 1, 2013, she stepped into the control room in this sari, ready to push the spacecraft out of Earth's orbit and send it on its 300-day journey towards Martian orbit.
The success of the mission depended on what they did that day. And they succeeded, making India only the fourth country or geo-bloc to successfully place a spacecraft in Martian orbit. This achievement is a testament to India's growing space program and its potential to inspire the world.
The Smithsonian's decision to display Nandini's sari in the 'Futures in Space' gallery is a clever move. It engages visitors with recent space achievements and invites them to consider the motivations behind space exploration. The sari speaks to two motivations: India's national pride in its first Mars mission and the country's successful space program, and Nandini's personal story, which is inspiring as her success could encourage more women to pursue careers in science.
The sari was chosen for its cultural value and ease of identification. It's a tangible representation of India's space achievements, and its display invites museum visitors to learn more about the exhibits. The Smithsonian's collection already includes several objects from India, but most are from the Air Force and airline companies. Nandini's sari is a unique addition, and it's overjoying to see visitors engage with it and want to find out more.
In my opinion, this sari is more than just a piece of fabric. It's a symbol of India's scientific prowess and a powerful tool to inspire the next generation of women in science. It raises a deeper question: how can we use cultural symbols to encourage more people to pursue careers in science and space exploration? And what will we do when we get there? These are the questions that Nandini's sari invites us to consider, and I think it's a fantastic addition to the Smithsonian's collection.
