Girls from 108 countries, including India, unite for space mission:Marking a world record, the all-women space initiative ‘ShakthiSAT’

What happens when thousands of girls from around the world come together with one goal, which is to build and work on space technology? India’s Mission ShakthiSAT is turning that idea into reality. Led by Space Kidz India, the initiative has brought together girls from 108 countries as part of an international space programme. The mission gives young participants practical experience in building and working with satellite technology, instead of limiting space education to classrooms. Girls get hands-on experience in satellite building Mission ShakthiSAT’s second phase has now been completed in India. During the programme, participants worked on different parts of spacecraft development and learned how various satellite systems are put together. One key project was a 12U CubeSat, a small satellite designed to carry several scientific and technology payloads. The students received practical exposure to tasks such as: The programme is designed to give students a closer look at the kind of engineering involved in real space missions. Students from several countries work together Mission ShakthiSAT is not limited to Indian students. Participants and payload teams from countries including Egypt, the US, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, Latvia and the Philippines have been involved in the programme. The mission also involves organisations and academic institutions from different countries, making the project an example of international cooperation through space technology. India becomes the meeting point for the global mission A major part of the programme took place in India, where participating students came together for practical training and satellite-related work. Space Kidz India says the wider mission aims to involve around 12,000 girls from 108 countries and encourage more young women to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The programme has also involved India’s wider space and education ecosystem, with engagement involving organisations and institutions connected to India’s space sector. More than just a satellite mission Mission ShakthiSAT is also designed to create opportunities for young women from different countries to work together. The students get exposure to areas such as space science, coding, electronics, satellite structures, payload systems and mission design. The programme aims to help young women gain practical skills that could encourage them to pursue careers in aerospace and other STEM fields. What happens next? With Phase 2 completed, the programme has moved another step forward in its satellite development journey. The spacecraft is expected to be launched from India, with Space Kidz India listing October 11, 2026 as the planned Mission ShakthiSAT launch event at Sriharikota. The larger goal is to use space technology as a way to connect young people across countries while giving girls an opportunity to take part in real-world aerospace projects.
For India, the mission also highlights the country’s growing role as a place where international space education and student-led satellite projects can come together.