Andhra Pradesh Teen Selected for All-Girls Lunar Satellite Mission
Kandula Jessie, a 14-year-old Class 10 student from Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dhavaleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, has been selected as one of India’s 20 participants for Mission ShakthiSAT – the first global all-girls lunar CubeSat mission. Her father is a carpenter, and she is the only student from the state to make the final Indian contingent.
Jessie was chosen from a pool of nearly 12,000 applicants from 108 countries. Her journey began when her Physical Science teacher, Manimala, who runs the school’s Atal Tinkering Lab, recognised her interest in science and registered her for the programme last year. Jessie also encouraged eight other girls from her school to apply, but after discovering that online coursework had already begun, Manimala contacted the coordinators to secure another opportunity for the students, allowing Jessie to continue.
Despite preparing for her Class 10 board examinations, Jessie attended online classes daily after school and has completed about 50-60 per cent of the programme. Mission ShakthiSAT comprises around 550 sessions and 21 modules covering satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, and space technology. Many concepts were initially difficult as they were far more advanced than her school curriculum, but Jessie persisted.
The selection process included online learning modules, a one-hour interview with scientists and programme coordinators, and a one-minute video explaining the mission’s significance. Since the interview was conducted in English with international experts, Jessie worked on her communication skills with teacher guidance and educational videos. “I was nervous while speaking to international scientists. I never imagined that a government school student like me would be selected,” she said.
Jessie’s mother, Aruna, noted that financial constraints had forced the family to move her from a private to a government school. “My husband is a carpenter, and we have faced many hardships. Watching our daughter speak confidently with international scientists was one of the proudest moments of our lives,” she said.
The next phase begins in New Delhi on August 23 with practical training and National Space Day celebrations, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present. During training, Jessie will work with scientists on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built CubeSat is scheduled for launch from Sriharikota on October 11. Jessie hopes to join ISRO and support her parents.
Rajya Sabha MP Sana Sathish Babu congratulated Jessie, calling it a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh and reflecting the vision of N. Chandrababu Naidu and Education Minister Nara Lokesh in giving government school students world-class exposure.
