Indian-Born NASA Scientist Reflects on Storied Career

Hashima Hasan shares her journey from childhood dreams to pioneering roles on major space telescope missions

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Hashima Hasan, born in India shortly after its independence, became a trailblazing program scientist for NASA, working on iconic missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. Her story traces her path from watching Sputnik as a child to earning a PhD in nuclear physics, overcoming challenges as a female scientist, and taking on critical roles shaping the development and operations of some of NASA's most important observatories.

Why it matters

Hasan's story highlights the remarkable career of a woman in STEM who overcame societal barriers to make significant contributions to major space science missions. Her journey inspires others, especially young women, to pursue their dreams in science and aerospace, and showcases NASA's ability to foster diverse talent and drive groundbreaking discoveries.

The details

Hasan's fascination with space began at age 7 when she watched the Sputnik satellite pass overhead. She went on to earn a PhD in nuclear physics from the University of Oxford, then joined the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, where she wrote critical software to analyze Hubble's images and monitor the telescope's optics. Hasan later took on leadership roles at NASA Headquarters, serving as program scientist for Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other major missions, navigating complex international partnerships and technical challenges.

  • In October 1957, at age 7, Hasan watched Sputnik pass overhead in the skies of Lucknow, India.
  • In 1976, Hasan earned her doctorate in theoretical nuclear physics from the University of Oxford.
  • In 1985, Hasan joined the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.
  • From 1999 to 2004, Hasan served as the program scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope.
  • From 1999 to 2001, and again from 2011 to 2015, Hasan was the program scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The players

Hashima Hasan

An Indian-born scientist who became a trailblazing program scientist for NASA, working on iconic missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Christopher Burrows

A scientist who guided Hasan in writing the Telescope Image Modeling (TIM) software to analyze Hubble's images and optics.

Edward Weiler

The fabled NASA official who mentored Hasan and helped her develop skills in mission management and strategic planning.

John Mather

A scientist at Goddard Space Flight Center who Hasan supported with a research grant to study the concept for the Next Generation Space Telescope, which became the James Webb Space Telescope.

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What they’re saying

“The story of Hubble is a tribute to NASA's "can do" attitude. The entire scientific, technology and human space flight community rallied around Hubble in the true "Explore as One" spirit to fix Hubble.”

— Hashima Hasan, NASA Program Scientist (Mirage News)

What’s next

Hasan continues to serve as the NASA program scientist for the Keck Observatory, the SOFIA mission, and the James Webb Space Telescope, while also leading education efforts in astrophysics.

The takeaway

Hasan's remarkable career journey, from watching Sputnik as a child in India to pioneering roles on iconic NASA space telescope missions, inspires others, especially young women, to pursue their dreams in science and aerospace. Her story showcases NASA's ability to foster diverse talent and drive groundbreaking discoveries.