Mission – ShakthiSAT mission to train 12,000 girls; aims satellite launch under Chandrayaan-4

An initiative aimed at empowering young women and fostering international collaboration in space exploration, Chennai-based aerospace startup Space Kidz India has launched the ShakthiSAT mission. This global program will train 12,000 high school girls, aged 14-18, across 108 countries in various aspects of space technology. The ambitious goal is to inspire the next generation of female leaders in STEM fields and ultimately launch a satellite under ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2026.
The official poster for ShakthiSAT will be unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu in November 2024, marking a significant milestone in the mission’s journey.
“The mission includes 120 hours of online training for high school girl students (aged 14-18) to teach them about various aspects of space technology, payload development, and spacecraft systems,” said Srimathy Kesan, ShakthiSAT mission lead, to media.
Participating countries range from the UK, UAE, Brazil, and Australia to Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, showcasing the mission’s truly global scope. Each participating country will engage 108 students, who will receive specialized training in space science. According to Space Kidz India, the mission seeks to “nurture talent, foster international collaboration, and ignite interest in the vast possibilities of space science, ultimately creating a ripple effect that inspires millions of young girls worldwide.”
Kesan, the visionary behind ShakthiSAT, expressed her excitement about the mission’s potential impact. “I am extremely happy to have conceived this idea, and I am confident that this initiative has the potential to benefit not only our country but the entire world. Our goal is to inspire and empower young women, providing them with opportunities that have the power to transform lives and unite us globally through the awe-inspiring domain of space exploration.”
Following the completion of the online training, 108 students—one from each participating country—will be selected to travel to India between June and August 2025. These young women will undergo hands-on training in building payloads and spacecraft prototypes. A prototype presentation is scheduled to be made before Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year or early next year.
This mission is not just an educational initiative; it is a powerful statement about the importance of international collaboration in space exploration. Space Kidz India, which has previously launched 18+ NSLVs (BalloonSats), 3 Suborbital Payloads, and 4 Orbital Satellites, continues to break new ground by involving high school and college students in satellite development. As an ambassador to NASA, ESA, and GCTC Russia, Space Kidz India is inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators, especially young women.