Mission ShakthiSAT space education initiative

Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida launched Mission ShakthiSAT, an international space education initiative running from August 23 to August 31, 2026. The program aims to provide young women from India and 108 other countries with practical experience in satellite technology, space science, and STEM education.

Organized by Space Kidz India, the mission involves adolescent girls, particularly those aged 14 to 18 from disadvantaged backgrounds, in the design and assembly of a satellite intended for launch toward the moon from an Indian space station. The initiative follows a two-phase structure: a theoretical phase consisting of months of online training in physics and mathematics, followed by a practical phase held in India.

The program is supported by the Indian Prime Minister and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with partnerships involving NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Russian Space Agency. During the inauguration, India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, participated virtually, describing the students as the “future custodians of the planet.”