Mission ShakthiSAT.
Global space science and cultural exchange programme, led by Dr. Srimathy Kesan of Space Kidz India, commences August 23 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida
Mission ShakthiSAT is entering its second phase on August 23, 2026, bringing together young girls from 108 countries at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida for an international programme centered on space science, innovation, learning, leadership, collaboration and cultural exchange.
The initiative is led by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, whose multi-year effort to expand access to space science education for young people has culminated in one of the organisation's most ambitious global undertakings to date. The scale of the gathering - young participants converging from across virtually every region of the world into a single Indian campus, situated at the Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida - positions Mission ShakthiSAT as a landmark moment for the broader movement to close the gender gap in space science, leadership and STEM fields worldwide. This Mission reflects the spirit of "Vasudheiva Kutumbakam" and the vision of the Prime Minister of India, Mr.Narendra Modi - "Beti Bachao, Beti Padao"; not just in India but across the globe .
About the Programme
Mission ShakthiSAT was conceived to bring young girls from across the world together around a shared space mission, built on the premise that the future of space science should be shaped by young minds from every part of the world. The name itself draws on "Shakthi," a word associated with strength and empowerment, reflecting the programme's underlying philosophy: that meaningful participation in space science should not be limited by geography, economic background or gender.
During the second phase, participants will engage in scientific activities, collaborative learning and cultural exchange, sharing their traditions, perspectives and talents with peers from vastly different backgrounds. Organisers describe the programme as structured around three interlocking strands - hands-on scientific engagement, peer-to-peer collaborative learning, and cultural exchange - each designed to reinforce the others over the course of the gathering. The scientific component is intended to give participants direct exposure to the principles and practice of space missions, while the collaborative learning sessions are built around teamwork across national and cultural lines, encouraging girls who may never otherwise have crossed paths to work side by side on shared problems.
The cultural exchange element is treated by organisers as equally central to the programme's mission rather than as a peripheral activity. With participants drawn from 108 countries, the gathering is expected to surface an extraordinarily wide range of languages, customs and traditions, all converging on a single campus for a shared purpose. Programme organisers say this dimension is intentional: exposing young people to such a breadth of global perspective is itself a form of education that complements the technical and scientific content of the programme.
Taken together, the programme is designed to give participants a structured foundation in space science through 120 hours of curriculum and guided learning undertaken ahead of the second phase. The curriculum delivered to the students was jointly vetted by InSpace and NCVET, it was made available to the students via the Zoho Learning Platform, ensuring that the learning material was developed and reviewed against appropriate academic and skill-development standards. The mission also extends beyond classroom learning into the practical dimensions of space technology, with internationally developed payloads from six providers being utilised in the satellite. Through this combination of structured education, internationally reviewed curriculum and exposure to real space hardware, Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give young participants a meaningful understanding of how a space mission is developed and executed, while preparing them to engage with the field as informed contributors. A Global Gathering Rooted in Years of Preparation.
Organising a programme of this scale - convening participants from 108 countries - has required years of planning, international outreach and institutional coordination. Assembling delegations from such a large number of nations involves navigating a wide array of logistical and administrative considerations, from travel arrangements to coordination with schools, families and local partners in each participating country. Dr. Kesan and Space Kidz India have worked to build platforms that allow young people, and young girls in particular, to engage meaningfully with space science and technology, an effort that organisers describe as having unfolded over multiple years and multiple prior initiatives before culminating in the current programme.
"This mission is about giving access to young girls from various post codes, socio-economic statuses as well as geographies; which normally do not have access to space technology. Space is not for a select set of individuals, it belongs to all." said Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO, Space Kidz India.
That framing - of space at the center of a global conversation - runs through the organisation's broader messaging around the programme, which organisers describe as one milestone within a longer, ongoing effort rather than a standalone event.
India as the Host Nation
Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida will serve as the venue for the programme, giving participants the opportunity to experience an Indian academic environment while engaging with the country's expanding role in science, technology and space exploration. The choice of venue places the programme within reach of the National Capital Region, offering participants proximity to one of India's major urban and academic hubs during their stay.
Organisers say the location underscores India's growing prominence as a hub for international collaboration in space science education, framing Mission ShakthiSAT as reflective of the country's broader trajectory in global space activity. For many visiting delegations, the programme is also expected to serve as an introduction to Indian culture, academic life and hospitality, adding a further layer to the cultural exchange at the heart of the initiative.
Programme Timeline
Participants will begin arriving in India ahead of the programme's official commencement on August 23, 2026. The arrival period itself is expected to be a significant logistical undertaking given the number of countries represented, with delegations converging on Greater Noida in the days leading up to the start of formal activities. Further details on the programme schedule and participating delegations will be made available closer to the start date.
About Space Kidz India
Space Kidz India is an organisation focused on creating opportunities for young people to engage with space science and technology, working to make science education more accessible and to encourage youth participation in space-related fields. Mission ShakthiSAT represents the latest, and by organisers' own description most expansive, expression of that mission to date, extending the organisation's work from a national to a genuinely global scale and placing young girls from across the world at its center.
Media Contact: Space Kidz India
Email: Spacekidzindia@gmail.com
Website: www.spacekidzindia.com
Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A_DuS2K00X9t_F_l-uW4w8aPP52CFg36? usp=sharing
