From Lucknow to NASA: A Space Odyssey

A seven-year-old girl in Lucknow who watched Sputnik in 1957 would go on to help steer some of NASA's most complex space telescopes.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Hashima Hasan, a native of Lucknow, India, watched Sputnik streak across the sky as a child in 1957. Decades later, she would go on to play a crucial role in the development and operation of NASA's Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, overcoming challenges to become a leading scientist in the field of space exploration.

Why it matters

Hasan's story is an inspiring example of how a childhood fascination with space can blossom into a remarkable career, defying societal expectations and barriers to become a trailblazer in the field of astrophysics. Her contributions to NASA's most advanced telescopes have expanded our understanding of the universe.

The details

After witnessing Sputnik as a child, Hasan went on to earn a doctorate in theoretical nuclear physics from the University of Oxford. She later moved to the United States in 1985 and joined the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, where she wrote software to simulate the optics of the Hubble Space Telescope. Hasan was later appointed as the Optical Telescope Assembly scientist for Hubble, responsible for maintaining the telescope's focus. She also played a key role in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope, serving as the program scientist from 1999 to 2015.

  • In October 1957, Hasan, then 7 years old, watched Sputnik pass through the night sky in Lucknow, India.
  • In 1976, Hasan earned a doctorate in theoretical nuclear physics from the University of Oxford.
  • In 1985, Hasan moved to the United States with her husband and two sons.
  • In the late 1980s, Hasan joined the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore and worked on software for the Hubble Space Telescope.
  • From 1999 to 2015, Hasan served as the program scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The players

Hashima Hasan

A native of Lucknow, India, who went on to become a leading scientist at NASA, contributing to the development and operation of the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes.

Christopher Burrows

The scientist under whom Hasan wrote the Telescope Image Modelling (TIM) software for the Hubble Space Telescope.

Edward Weiler

The NASA Headquarters scientist who appointed Hasan as a visiting senior scientist in 1994.

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What they’re saying

“The story of Hubble is a tribute to NASA's 'can-do' attitude.”

— Hashima Hasan (NASA)

“I would like all readers to follow their dreams as I have and not to get discouraged, as we continue exploring the Universe. The sky belongs to all of us.”

— Hashima Hasan (NASA)

The takeaway

Hashima Hasan's remarkable journey from a child watching Sputnik in Lucknow to becoming a leading NASA scientist overseeing the development and operation of the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams, even in the face of societal challenges. Her story inspires others to follow their passions and contribute to the advancement of space exploration.