On International Day of Education, meet Mohammed Nasrullah, a Diamond Jubilee High School, Hyderabad alumnus whose love of learning laid the foundation for a 40-year career supporting NASA spaceflight programmes and developing systems for astronauts.

Since retiring in 2017, Mohammed has devoted his time to volunteering across initiatives in human rights, civil rights, environmental protection and community engagement. He says the engineering foundation and values that guide this service were shaped in a classroom at Diamond Jubilee High School in Hyderabad, India, where he studied from 1958 to 1965.

Learning and mentorship

Mohammed remembers the excitement surrounding the launch of Sputnik and how hearing the news on the radio fuelled his fascination with the world beyond Hyderabad.

“My parents told me that if I wanted to work in space, I needed to do well in maths, physics and chemistry.”

Keeping that advice in mind, he developed consistent study habits. “I would complete all textbook problems, not only those assigned, but every exercise,” he says.

School life was structured and rigorous, with full weekdays and half-days on Saturdays. Over time, those routines shaped the habits and work ethic that stayed with Mohammed. “Even though I am retired now, I get up at six o’clock in the morning every day, seven days a week.”

The school environment also shaped his values. “We had students of so many different backgrounds and different religions,” he says, recalling classmates of Muslim, Hindu and Christian faiths. “We never thought of ourselves as being different from one another.”

“Treating others with respect and honesty, communicating well, and valuing people’s time and privacy – those are things that have stayed with me all my life.”

Those values were reinforced by teachers who went out of their way to support their students.

He remembers his 1st grade teachers, Uma Murthy and Usha Murthy, who encouraged students to go beyond the curriculum. One of them would lend books from her personal collection: “Whoever was interested in doing more than what was being taught in class, she would bring her personal books from home.”

The person who left the deepest mark was his 9th grade teacher, Girija Menon, who taught mathematics and physics, two subjects Mohammed loved most. “She was the best teacher I have ever, ever had,” he says. “She treated us like her children.”

When students struggled with new concepts, she did not give up. Mohammed remembers her offering help during lunch breaks and trying “everything she could” until the class understood. From her, he says, he learned more than formulas.

From school to space station

Mohammed studied mechanical engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree from the Osmania University College of Engineering in India, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in the USA.

He went on to work on NASA’s Space Shuttle programme, where he served as a thermal analyst supporting the first 30 missions. After 10 years in technical leadership, he moved into project management, working on scientific experiments, satellite deployments and the International Space Station. There, he played a crucial role in designing and developing systems supporting human spaceflight, including the environmental control and life support system and the active thermal control system – both essential for keeping astronauts safe and healthy.

“It has been an honour to work alongside passionate individuals,” he says, “contributing to a legacy that inspires future generations.”

His contributions were recognised with several honours, including NASA’s Employee of the Year Award, the Silver Snoopy Award and the RNASA Stellar Award.

Giving back to where it began

Support at Diamond Jubilee High School, Hyderabad extended beyond academics. In 7th grade, when Mohammed’s family faced financial difficulty, the school allowed them to pay their fees at a later date. Decades later, Mohammed chose to give back in the same spirit. With his siblings, he established an educational foundation in their parents’ name recognising top students with awards.

Mohammed has remained closely connected to the school, returning to speak with students, take part in school events and contribute to the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations. In 2024, he was the chief guest for Republic Day, where he raised the flag and spoke to students about his journey.

Looking back, he sees his education as not just a stepping stone to a career, but a foundation for a lifetime.

“Learning is always important. Whether you are 10 or 70, you should always try to learn something new every day.”