MUMBAI: Shattering stereotypes, Isro has brought together about 12,000 talented girls from 108 countries for an all-girls flight to the lunar orbit, Mission ShakthiSAT. The mission is slated for a Sept 2026 launch by Isro’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Some of the countries on board are Botswana, Greece, Costa Rica, UAE, and Cameroon.
ShakthiSAT director Srimathy Kesan said the moon mission will be formally announced on Jan 16 or 22. “A mere 20 per cent of space jobs are held by women. Engaging girls isn’t just closing a gap, it’s launching a universe of untapped talent,’’ she said.
Last month, Chennai-based Space Kidz India (SKI) and IN-SPACEe signed an MOU for ShakthiSAT. The role of IN-SPACEe, set up by govt of India, is to facilitate private sector participation in India’s space programmes. SKI hit the headlines in 2017 when it launched the world’s tiniest satellite called KalamSat and won a Nasa competition.
Based on the performance of the 12,000 girls, 108 — one from each country — will be chosen and brought to Chennai between Oct and Dec for familiarisation with Mission ShakthiSAT. They will also build payloads that will carry out different scientific experiments.
Kesan said, “With unwavering determination, the mission sets out to extend a golden opportunity to 108 talented students from each country, to curate, build and launch a satellite to the lunar orbit.”
For girls from African and Latin American countries, the age for joining the mission is between 14 and 18 years, and for the rest it’s 14-16 years.
