Archive · 31 Oct 2025
ISRO Scientist Rinku Agrawal: Breast Cancer Survivor, Chandrayaan-3 Contributor, and Advocate
Imagine a scientist named Rinku who works on amazing space projects for India, like sending rockets to the Moon and building satellites that look at Earth.
One day, Rinku found out she had breast cancer.
This was very scary, and the medicine to fight it made her lose her hair, which she loved very much.
But Rinku was very brave.
She thought about her children and decided she had to get better.
She went through treatments like chemotherapy and surgery to remove one of her breasts.
Even while she was getting better, she continued working hard on her space missions.
She is now a role model, showing others how important it is to check for breast cancer early and inspiring them to be strong, just like her.
ISRO scientist Rinku Agrawal battled and overcame breast cancer, continuing her work on critical space missions.
Agrawal's treatment included chemotherapy, which led to hair loss, and a mastectomy where her right breast was removed.
Despite her health challenges, she contributed to significant projects like Chandrayaan-3, Earth Observation Satellites, and NISAR.
She has become a public advocate for breast cancer awareness, encouraging early detection through self-examinations.
Agrawal's experience has made her stronger, and she now heads her division at ISRO, inspiring others with her resilience.
- Who
- Rinku Agrawal, an ISRO scientist and breast cancer survivor.
- What
- Agrawal successfully battled breast cancer, including undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy, while continuing to work on significant space missions and becoming an advocate for breast cancer awareness.
- When
- Her diagnosis occurred in June 2013, with treatment and recovery continuing over subsequent years.
- Where
- Ahmedabad, India (ISRO Space Application Centre and Apollo Hospitals).
- Why
- Agrawal was driven by her desire to live and recover for her children, and to continue her professional career contributing to India's space program.
- Name
- Rinku Agrawal
- Age
- 50
- Occupation
- Senior Scientist/Engineer and Head of Department, Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad
- Health Battle
- Breast Cancer Survivor
- Key Projects
- Chandrayaan-3, Earth Observation Satellites, NISAR
- Medical Treatment
- Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Mastectomy