Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#DESM:
National Space Day-2026 | Human Space Travel: Challenges and Opportunities
Expert:- Nandini Harinath
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network
Indian Space Research Organisation, Bengaluru
Email :- dth.class9@ciet.nic.in
to
dth.class12@ciet.nic.in
Google Form Link : https://forms.gle/YpVQaVLvupwLqEKm6
About the Talk:
What does it really take to send humans into space—and, more importantly, bring them safely back home? Human spaceflight is much more than building a powerful rocket. It means creating a safe, self-sustaining environment for people in one of the most challenging environments we know.
The talk takes a journey from the early days of the Space Race and the first humans in space to the International Space Station, where humans have lived and worked continuously for more than two decades. Along the way, we look at some of the remarkable achievements, as well as the accidents and challenges that have shaped the way human space missions are designed and operated.
We will also explore what happens to the human body in space, why keeping astronauts safe is so demanding, and what makes a system truly “human-rated.” The journey then comes closer to home with India’s Gaganyaan program and the many technologies and capabilities needed to launch, support, monitor, recover and safely bring humans back to Earth.
Finally, the talk looks beyond simply reaching space—to the bigger question: What can humans achieve when we learn to live, work and explore beyond Earth?
About the Speaker:
Dr. Nandini Harinath presently serves as the Deputy Director of Spacecraft Operations at ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network Centre (ISTRAC). In this role, she is responsible for the tracking, control, and daily operations of 26 low earth orbiting and interplanetary satellites. She has played a leading role in more than 25 satellite mission design and operations, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Chandrayaan 3, Aditya L1, and the RISAT 2B constellation.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards over the years. Among them are the Just For Women Science Achiever Award (2026), the Astronautical Society of India, pace Systems Management Award (2025) and Gold Medal (2019), and the ASI Team Award (2014). She has also received honors such as the Stree Ratna Award from the Fine Arts Society (2025), the The Delhi Commission for Women’s International Women’s Day Award (2023), and the Kannada Mahila Rathna Award (2017). Earlier recognitions include the Rotary Vocational Service Excellence Award (2014), ISRO Team Awards in 2007 and 2013, the CNBC India Business Leaders Award (2013), and the India Today Woman in Science Award (2015). Her work has been featured in the Science Friday film and in the book Those Magnificent Women and Their Flying Machines.
Academically, Dr. Harinath has held distinguished positions such as Chief Editor of Acta Astronautica (2024 and 2026 editions) and reviewer for peer reviewed journals. She is an Associate Member of the International Academy of Astronautics and has served as a jury member for the Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar (2023–25). She was also recognized by NASSCOM Makers Honors (2026) and served on the Board of Governors of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal (2015–2019). Her thought leadership is evident in her talks at the G20 Innovation Meet (2023), TEDx events, and the Biba Chowdry Memorial Lecture (2024). Beyond these, she has actively mentored STEM programs, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Her achievements have been celebrated widely. She was felicitated by the President of India on Independence Day in 2023, and honored by institutions such as Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha (2024), Tirupati Devasthanams (2017), the Kerala Government (2014), and ABP News. A unique recognition of her legacy is the preservation of the saree she wore during the Mangalyaan mission at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, symbolizing her role in India’s space history.
#DESM:
National Space Day-2026 | Human Space Travel: Challenges and Opportunities
Expert:- Nandini Harinath
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network
Indian Space Research Organisation, Bengaluru
Email :- dth.class9@ciet.nic.in
to
dth.class12@ciet.nic.in
Google Form Link : https://forms.gle/YpVQaVLvupwLqEKm6
About the Talk:
What does it really take to send humans into space—and, more importantly, bring them safely back home? Human spaceflight is much more than building a powerful rocket. It means creating a safe, self-sustaining environment for people in one of the most challenging environments we know.
The talk takes a journey from the early days of the Space Race and the first humans in space to the International Space Station, where humans have lived and worked continuously for more than two decades. Along the way, we look at some of the remarkable achievements, as well as the accidents and challenges that have shaped the way human space missions are designed and operated.
We will also explore what happens to the human body in space, why keeping astronauts safe is so demanding, and what makes a system truly “human-rated.” The journey then comes closer to home with India’s Gaganyaan program and the many technologies and capabilities needed to launch, support, monitor, recover and safely bring humans back to Earth.
Finally, the talk looks beyond simply reaching space—to the bigger question: What can humans achieve when we learn to live, work and explore beyond Earth?
About the Speaker:
Dr. Nandini Harinath presently serves as the Deputy Director of Spacecraft Operations at ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network Centre (ISTRAC). In this role, she is responsible for the tracking, control, and daily operations of 26 low earth orbiting and interplanetary satellites. She has played a leading role in more than 25 satellite mission design and operations, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Chandrayaan 3, Aditya L1, and the RISAT 2B constellation.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards over the years. Among them are the Just For Women Science Achiever Award (2026), the Astronautical Society of India, pace Systems Management Award (2025) and Gold Medal (2019), and the ASI Team Award (2014). She has also received honors such as the Stree Ratna Award from the Fine Arts Society (2025), the The Delhi Commission for Women’s International Women’s Day Award (2023), and the Kannada Mahila Rathna Award (2017). Earlier recognitions include the Rotary Vocational Service Excellence Award (2014), ISRO Team Awards in 2007 and 2013, the CNBC India Business Leaders Award (2013), and the India Today Woman in Science Award (2015). Her work has been featured in the Science Friday film and in the book Those Magnificent Women and Their Flying Machines.
Academically, Dr. Harinath has held distinguished positions such as Chief Editor of Acta Astronautica (2024 and 2026 editions) and reviewer for peer reviewed journals. She is an Associate Member of the International Academy of Astronautics and has served as a jury member for the Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar (2023–25). She was also recognized by NASSCOM Makers Honors (2026) and served on the Board of Governors of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal (2015–2019). Her thought leadership is evident in her talks at the G20 Innovation Meet (2023), TEDx events, and the Biba Chowdry Memorial Lecture (2024). Beyond these, she has actively mentored STEM programs, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Her achievements have been celebrated widely. She was felicitated by the President of India on Independence Day in 2023, and honored by institutions such as Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha (2024), Tirupati Devasthanams (2017), the Kerala Government (2014), and ABP News. A unique recognition of her legacy is the preservation of the saree she wore during the Mangalyaan mission at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, symbolizing her role in India’s space history.
