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The initiative aims to empower future women scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders through hands-on learning in space science, technology, and global collaboration.
Kandula Jessie also encouraged eight more students from her school to register.
A 14-year-old girl from a government school in Andhra Pradesh has earned a place among the 20 Indian students selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, the world’s first international all-girls lunar CubeSat mission. The programme received close to 12,000 registrations from girls across 108 countries. Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student of Zilla Parishad Girls High School (ZPGHS) in Dowleswaram, is the only participant from Andhra Pradesh to be chosen, reported Times of India.
Starting August 23, Kandula will attend training in New Delhi, where she will work with scientists on satellite design, payload development and mission operations for a student-built lunar CubeSat.
Jessie’s journey began when her physical science teacher and Atal Tinkering Lab coordinator, Manimala, enrolled her in the programme after recognising her passion for science and innovation. Excited by the opportunity, Jessie encouraged eight more students from her school to register.
Jesse attended online classes daily while studying for class 10 and preparing for the board exams. Mission ShaktiSAT offers hundreds of sessions and numerous modules covering topics such as satellite systems, space technology, thermodynamics, and propulsion. Initially, these subjects were difficult for her, as they were more advanced than what was taught in the school syllabus. Despite this, she continued to learn and has now completed more than half of the programme.
The global initiative, led by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, aims to empower future women scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders through hands-on learning in space science, technology, and global collaboration.
The selection process included online coursework, a one-hour interview with scientists and programme coordinators, and a one-minute video explaining Mission ShakthiSAT and the importance of STEM education. Since the interview was held entirely in English with international experts, Jessie worked on improving her communication skills with support from her teachers and educational videos. “I was nervous speaking to international scientists. I never imagined that a government school student like me would be selected,” she told the news agency.
The lunar CubeSat, designed by female students as part of the mission, is scheduled to be launched from Sriharikota on October 11. This is believed to be the first mission in the world where only female students will be working together to develop a CubeSat for a lunar mission.
The Mission ShakthiSAT aims to empower future women scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders through hands-on learning in space science, technology, and global collaboration.
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