Vera Kapur

Pioneering Indian engineer who broke gender barriers in space technology

Vera Kapur (1925-1998) was a trailblazing Indian engineer whose work in the 1950s-1970s laid foundational contributions to India's space program while advocating for women's inclusion in STEM fields. Born in Kolkata during British colonial rule, she defied societal norms by pursuing aeronautical engineering at the University of Calcutta, graduating top of her class in 1947. Her career began at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where she pioneered research in rocket propulsion systems that later influenced Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's work.

In 1962, Kapur joined the nascent Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), becoming its first female engineer. She designed critical components for India's first satellite launch vehicle SLV-3, which successfully placed Aryabhata into orbit in 1975. Her innovative thermal protection systems became industry standards, featured in NASA's 1978 technical report on re-entry mechanisms.

Parallel to her technical achievements, Kapur established India's first women's engineering mentorship program in 1965, training over 300 female engineers by 1970. Her advocacy led to the 1973 government policy mandating 20% female representation in engineering scholarships. The Vera Kapur Award now honors female engineers annually.

Her 1972 book Engineering Beyond Boundaries became a seminal text in gender diversity studies, translated into six languages. Despite her contributions, Kapur remained humble, stating, 'The stars are not for one gender - they belong to all who dare to reach.'