Mission Overview
Space Kidz India, a pioneering aerospace education organization, issued a press release on 27 July 2026 announcing the selection of twenty young female scientists from across India for Mission ShakthiSAT, an all‑girls lunar satellite initiative that brings together twelve thousand girls from one hundred eight countries.
Selected Scientists
The selected participants, referred to as the “Top 20 Shakthis,” are: Tiya (School of Eminence, Mall Road, Punjab); Ku Mahima Rajput (SAGES Tilaknagar, Gudhiyari, Chhattisgarh); Navya (Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi); Darshana Sharma (School of Excellence Bal Vinay Mandir, Madhya Pradesh); Maryam Tariq (Government Higher Secondary School, Fatehgarh Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir); Bhakti Santosh Rakecha (New English School, Kolhar Budruk, Maharashtra); Papai Srihitha (ZPHS Rampur, Telangana); Thejazeno L. K. Eyho (PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kohima, Nagaland); Anandi Sharma (Government Senior Secondary School, Tharpu, Sikkim); Riya Pawar (APS Meerut Cantt, Uttar Pradesh); Swagatika Samantaray (Capital High School Unit‑III, Odisha); N. Monika (Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Thirumangalam, Tamil Nadu); Ragnee Sahu (Government Aashi Bai Golchha Higher Secondary School, Chhattisgarh); Sujata Lall (Government Model Senior Secondary School, Andaman & Nicobar Islands); Jameela A (Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Thirumangalam, Tamil Nadu); Angel Kunwar (Swami Vivekanand Government Model School, Jhadoli, Rajasthan); Kandula Jessie (ZPGHS Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh); Vipaben Bariya Gulabbhai (EMRS Vejalpur, Gujarat); Madhumita Maity (Lakshya High School, West Bengal); and Lavanya Rana (APS Meerut Cantt, Uttar Pradesh).
Training and Satellite Development
The programme will provide hands‑on training covering the complete satellite development lifecycle—including concept, design, payload integration, systems engineering, testing and mission operations—and will culminate in the construction of two satellites: one destined for Low‑Earth Orbit and a second intended for a future lunar mission.
Leadership and Guidance
Selection was led by Wing Commander Jaya Tare, Mission Ambassador of India, with support from teachers and mentors nationwide. The initiative is guided by Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN‑SPACe, and Dr Vinod Kumar, Director (Promotions) of IN‑SPACe, and has received endorsements from Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, as well as ISRO officials Ganesh Pillai (Scientific Secretary) and Mr Krishnan (Director, ICP) and Deputy Director Ms Bhavani.
Host Institution and Partnerships
The host university is Gautam Buddha University, represented by Vice‑Chancellor Prof Rana Pratap Singh together with Prof Varshney and Prof Dhanalakshmi. Additional gratitude is expressed to Greater Noida CEO Shri Ravi Kumar and his team.
Key institutional partners include IN‑SPACe, ISRO, the Department of Space, NITI Aayog, the ICP Division of ISRO, the Ministry of External Affairs, Meridian Space, Hexaware and the Samskara Foundation.
Founder Vision
Founder and CEO Dr Srimathy Kesan described Mission ShakthiSAT as “the Olympics of Space—there is no competition, only collaboration,” emphasizing the collaborative ethos of the project.
About Space Kidz India
Space Kidz India’s broader mission is to inspire and empower girls in STEM, particularly space technology, through initiatives such as KalamSAT, AzaadiSAT and Mission ShakthiSAT, thereby contributing to the global space ecosystem.