Mission ShakthiSAT Phase 2 Launch to Put Girls, Space and Global Unity in the Spotlight

National News (23 August 2026): India is set to host a major international gathering celebrating space exploration, scientific education and the growing role of young women in STEM, with the Phase 2 launch of Mission ShakthiSAT being held alongside National Space Day celebrations.

The event is expected to bring together participants and representatives from nearly 61 countries, turning the programme into a powerful showcase of international cooperation and the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family.

The initiative is part of the larger vision of Mission ShakthiSAT, which aims to connect and empower 12,000 girls from 108 countries through opportunities in science, technology, leadership and space exploration.

India Emerges as a Global Platform for Young Women in Space

The Mission ShakthiSAT programme seeks to go beyond conventional space education by creating an international platform where young girls can learn, collaborate and exchange ideas across cultural and geographical boundaries.

At the centre of the initiative is Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India and Mission Director of Mission ShakthiSAT. Her vision has evolved from a programme focused on empowering girls into a broader global movement that uses science and space as tools to bring young people from different nations together.

Dr Kesan said the girls arriving in India should not be viewed simply as representatives of different countries but as members of a generation united by common aspirations.

She said the nine-day programme at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida would provide an opportunity for participants to experience different cultures, build friendships and understand that scientific aspirations are not restricted by national borders.

According to her vision, India is not merely serving as the host nation but is providing a platform where young minds from around the world can collectively imagine the future.

One Campus, One World, One Common Aspiration

The gathering at Gautam Buddha University is being positioned as more than a scientific or educational event. Organisers see it as an opportunity to promote global citizenship by bringing young women from diverse backgrounds together in one academic environment.

Participants are expected to engage with one another through learning programmes, scientific activities, cultural interactions and discussions about the future of space and technology.

Dr Kesan emphasised that the true strength of the initiative lies in bringing together different languages, cultures and personal experiences while giving participants a common platform to explore their interest in space.

The programme aims to ensure that the young participants return home with a broader understanding of the world, stronger confidence in their abilities and a belief that their ambitions can extend far beyond geographical boundaries.

Mission Goes Beyond Satellites and Space Technology

Mission ShakthiSAT is being designed around a much wider objective than the development of satellites or participation in space-related activities. The initiative seeks to encourage girls to consider careers as scientists, engineers, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, diplomats and future leaders.

By connecting thousands of young women from different countries, the programme aims to create a long-term network of aspiring professionals who can contribute to the future of science, technology and space exploration. The participation of girls from 108 countries gives the initiative an international dimension, while the presence of participants from nearly 61 countries during the upcoming celebration is expected to further strengthen its message of cooperation.

Prominent Leaders to Attend Phase 2 Launch

The Phase 2 launch and National Space Day programme will bring together representatives from the government, academia and India’s expanding space ecosystem.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, is scheduled to attend the programme as the Chief Guest.

Other prominent participants include Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor of Gautam Buddha University; Dr Vinod Kumar, Director of the IN-SPACe Promotion Directorate; and Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India and Mission Director of Mission ShakthiSAT.

Their participation highlights the growing importance of partnerships between government institutions, universities, the private space sector and young innovators in building India’s future space ecosystem.

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Finds a New Expression Through Space

At a time when geographical, political and cultural differences often divide nations, Mission ShakthiSAT seeks to present science and education as common ground for collaboration. The presence of young women from different parts of the world in India is intended to demonstrate that scientific curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge transcend nationality.

The initiative also places India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at the centre of its international outreach, presenting space as a field where nations can work together rather than remain separated by borders.

A Mission Built Around Girl Power

The Phase 2 launch represents another milestone in Dr Srimathy Kesan’s long-term vision of placing girls at the heart of India’s space and STEM narrative.
Mission ShakthiSAT seeks to inspire young women to move confidently into fields traditionally dominated by men and to see themselves as active contributors to humanity’s technological future.

The initiative’s central message extends beyond the launch of a space mission: every girl should have the opportunity to dream about space, pursue science and believe that she can contribute to discoveries beyond Earth.

With thousands of girls connected across countries and generations, Mission ShakthiSAT aims to transform that message into a lasting global movement — one in which the night sky becomes not a distant frontier, but a symbol of possibility, ambition and shared human potential.

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