From astronauts to scientists and engineers, these Indian-origin minds have played key roles in NASA’s missions
As India’s space program continues to reach new heights through ISRO’s achievements, Indian-origin professionals have also left an indelible mark at NASA. Whether exploring distant planets, managing satellite data, or inspiring the next generation, these individuals have made vital contributions to some of NASA’s most ambitious missions, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Here’s a look at 10 Indian-origin individuals who have contributed significantly to NASA’s mission of space exploration and scientific discovery:
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla became the first woman of Indian origin in space in 1997 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87). She tragically lost her life during the shuttle’s re-entry in 2003 (STS-107), but her legacy continues to inspire millions worldwide.
Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams, of Indian-Slovenian origin, is a NASA astronaut and Navy officer. She has completed three space missions, clocking 608 days in space and holding the record for most spacewalk hours by a woman (62 hours 6 minutes). In 2024, she commanded Boeing’s Starliner test flight and returned to Earth via SpaceX’s Crew-9 in 2025.
Dr. Sharmila Bhattacharya
As the head of NASA’s Space Biosciences division at Ames Research Center, Dr. Bhattacharya explores how spaceflight affects biological systems, especially immune responses—vital research for future long-duration missions.
Dr. Manisha Ganeshan
Specializing in satellite data, Dr. Ganeshan studies polar climate dynamics and planetary boundary layers. A Fellow of the International Arctic Science Committee, she contributes to NASA’s GEOS models, improving climate prediction capabilities.
Swarupa Nune
A video producer at NASA Goddard, Swarupa Nune combines science and art by transforming complex climate data into compelling visual narratives. Her multimedia work includes projects that synchronize satellite imagery with orchestral music.
These 10 Indian and Indian-origin experts have contributed to major NASA missions—from deep space exploration to climate science—bringing global recognition to their roots
Mamta Patel Nagaraja
Currently Associate Chief Scientist at NASA HQ, Mamta Patel Nagaraja has bridged engineering and public engagement, helping shape lunar and planetary missions while communicating NASA’s science to global audiences.
Narayanan Ramachandran
Working with Jacobs Technology at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Ramachandran plays a crucial role in Space Launch System (SLS) engineering, particularly in diffuser velocity testing for propulsion systems.
Raja Chari
An astronaut and former commander of SpaceX Crew-3, Raja Chari spent 170+ days aboard the ISS. A U.S. Air Force colonel of Indian descent, he is part of NASA’s Artemis Team, preparing for missions to the Moon.
Dr. Kamlesh Lulla
An Earth observation expert at NASA Johnson Space Center, Dr. Lulla has pioneered remote sensing research for disaster response and land-use analysis, significantly enhancing NASA’s Earth-monitoring tools.
Dr. Ashwin Vasavada
Project Scientist for NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover, Dr. Vasavada leads studies on Martian geology and climate. His work has been instrumental in understanding Mars’ habitability and geological history.
