India, May 12 -- The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is famous for housing iconic aircraft and space-faring relics, but its latest exhibit is decidedly different. Hanging among the high-tech gears of space history is a humble saree. While it never left Earth's atmosphere, the woman who wore it helped India reach another planet. The garment belongs to Nandini Harinath, one of ISRO's legendary "rocket women," whose leadership was instrumental in India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).

She was born and raised in India to a maths teacher mother and an engineer father. Before joining ISRO, she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in engineering.

She has supported more than 14 missions in he...