A 14-year-old Class 10 student from Andhra Pradesh has earned a place among 20 Indian students selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, the world’s first all-girls lunar CubeSat project.
Kandula Jessie was chosen from nearly 12,000 applicants across 108 countries, making her the only participant from her state.
Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram, East Godavari. According to a news report, her father is a carpenter and her mother is a homemaker. She was previously enrolled in a private school, but due to financial challenges, her family shifted her to a government school. It was there that her physical science teacher and Atal Tinkering Lab coordinator, Manimala, recognized her interest in science and encouraged her to apply for the programme.
Mission ShakthiSAT is a global initiative led by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, “to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on experience in space science, satellite technology, and international collaboration,” according to its official website. The programme is designed to make space science more accessible to young learners through practical training and international collaboration.
The selection process involved completing online coursework, attending a 1-hour interview with scientists and programme coordinators, and submitting a 1-minute video explaining the Mission ShakthiSAT initiative and the importance of STEM education. The curriculum includes hundreds of sessions covering satellite systems, space technology, thermodynamics, and propulsion.
Inspired by her teacher, Jessie also encouraged 8 other students from her school to register for the programme.
Beginning August 23, she will undergo training in New Delhi, where she will work with scientists on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations for a student-built lunar CubeSat. Alongside the training, Jessie will attend daily online sessions while continuing to prepare for her Class 10 board examinations.
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