Who Is Nigar Shaji, Woman Scientist Leading ISRO's Groundbreaking Aditya L1 Solar Mission

Nigar Shaji, a scientist at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, stands at the forefront of India's groundbreaking Aditya L-1 satellite mission. As the project director for India's first space-based solar observatory, Shaji is breaking stereotypes and contributing significantly to the nation's space exploration endeavors.

Born and raised in the rural Sengottai in the Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, Shaji's journey into the world of space technology began with inspiration from her father, Sheik Meeran, a mathematics graduate turned farmer. Choosing engineering over medicine, she pursued her education at the Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, and later obtained a master's degree in electronics from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra.

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Shaji's nine-year dedication to the Aditya L-1 satellite, covering a distance of over 3.7 million km in a marathon space journey, exemplifies her commitment to advancing India's capabilities in space-based solar observation.

Contrary to perceived gender biases in the Department of Space, Shaji asserts that at ISRO, talent takes precedence over gender, highlighting that there is no glass ceiling for women in the organisation. She joins the ranks of other accomplished women at ISRO, including M Vanitha, Thenmozhi Selvi K, and Kalpana K, who have led successful satellite missions.

Shaji's responsibilities extend beyond Aditya L-1, as she currently serves as the program director for lower Earth orbit and planetary missions at ISRO. Her contributions include overseeing the development of low-earth orbiting spacecraft and interplanetary missions, as well as leading the study of Venus and the EXO world mission for planets beyond the solar system.

As Aditya L-1 settles into its orbit 1.5 million km from Earth, providing continuous solar observations, Shaji's leadership and dedication serve as an inspiration for aspiring youngsters in the field of space technology.

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ISRO reports that Aditya L-1 is in good health, with scientific results already streaming in. The satellite's primary mission is to provide early warnings about solar activities, offering crucial insights into the Sun's behavior.