At just 14, Class 10 student Mahima Rajput is preparing to represent India in an international student space mission involving young participants from 108 countries.
In a story that reflects the rising confidence of young India, Mahima Rajput, a Class 10 student from Chhattisgarh, has been selected from India for the international student space mission ShakthiSAT. The mission will bring together students from 108 countries and introduce them to the world of satellites, space science and mission planning. For Mahima, this is not just an academic achievement. It is a moment that shows how Indian school students are stepping into global platforms once considered far beyond their reach.
A Dream That Began in School
Mahima’s journey into the space mission started when her school principal, through her guidance teacher, informed her about the ShakthiSAT programme. She was then registered for the mission and began the training process. What makes her story special is its simplicity. There was no dramatic beginning, no overnight miracle. A school, a teacher, an opportunity and a curious student came together — and a young girl from India found herself on the path to a global space mission.
Learning the Language of Space
As part of the programme, Mahima completed training through 21 modules and 365 lessons. These lessons helped her understand the basics of science, satellites and space missions. For a Class 10 student, this is a powerful exposure. The programme is not limited to textbook knowledge. It introduces students to how satellites are imagined, designed and built. It gives them a practical view of space technology, a field that is shaping the future of science, communication, climate monitoring and global collaboration. Mahima has said the training helped clear basic concepts related to science and satellites. This shows the importance of structured learning platforms that can turn curiosity into confidence.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mahima Rajput |
| Age | 14 years old, as of June 2026 |
| Current Location | Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Education Level | Class 10, High School Student |
| School | Swami Atmanand Government Excellent English Medium School, Tilak Nagar, Raipur |
| Key Mentors | Jolly Sahu, Principal; Yogeshwari Lahre, Guidance Teacher |
Students from 108 Countries
ShakthiSAT is designed as an international student space mission. The programme brings together young learners from across the world and allows them to participate in satellite-building activities. According to available details, selected students are expected to travel to Delhi on August 23, where they will take part in building satellites under the mission framework. The mission is scheduled for launch in October 2026. The plan includes one satellite expected to land on the Moon’s surface, while another is expected to move in the Moon’s orbit. For Mahima, this means becoming part of a global classroom where space becomes the subject and the Moon becomes the destination.
When a girl studies science with courage, she does not just change her future; she expands the horizon for many others.
Why Mahima’s Achievement Matters
Mahima Rajput’s selection is inspiring because it speaks to a larger change in India’s education and innovation landscape. Young students are no longer waiting until college to explore advanced science. They are beginning early. They are learning about satellites, robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, climate science and space exploration while still in school. This shift is important for India’s future. The country needs young minds who are not afraid of big questions. It needs students who can look at the sky and see not just stars, but possibilities.
Mahima’s achievement also encourages girls in science. Her selection sends a clear message that space technology, research and innovation belong equally to young girls. When girls are given access, encouragement and platforms, they can lead from the front.
From Classroom to Cosmos
Every major scientific journey begins with a first step. For Mahima, that step came from a classroom in Chhattisgarh. Now, it is taking her towards an international mission connected with the Moon. Her story is not only about personal success. It is about the power of teachers, schools and opportunities. It shows that a student’s future can change when someone notices talent and guides it in the right direction. Mahima represents the spirit of Young India — curious, confident and ready to participate in the future of science.
I am selected for the Mission ‘ShakthiSAT’, my guidance teacher registered me for the mission. – Mahima Rajput
While speaking to Media, Mahima Rajput expressed her happiness. She said, “I am selected for the Mission ‘ShakthiSAT’, my guidance teacher registered me for the mission. After I registered, some modules came up, which clarified the basic concepts related to science and satellites. There were a total of 21 modules and 365 lessons, which helped us a lot to learn about satellite technology. We were trained in how to make satellites, which include participants from 108 countries. On August 23, 2026 we have to go to Delhi, where we will build a satellite that will land on the surface of the Moon, and another satellite will revolve around the Moon’s orbit.”
Mahima was selected for ‘ShakthiSAT’ mission through a competitive procedure that evaluates candidates’ aptitude in science and mathematics alongside a demonstrated passion for space technology. Her selection was publicly declared and her family participated in several media coverage of the achievement. Another student, Riya Panwar of Army Public School, Meerut, has also been selected for the mission. A fact celebrated by the school’s official institutional account as a “proud moment.”
What is ShakthiSAT?
ShakthiSAT stands as the female-led lunar satellite mission for female students. This mission is supported by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center), and the UK-based Meridian Space Command. This kind of mission seeks to redefine the future of space exploration. This mission will serve as a symbol of inclusivity, empowerment, and innovation.
Dr. Srimathy Kesan, the founder and CEO of Space Kidz India will lead the ShakthiSAT. The program trains over 12,000 girls on a global level in satellite technology, aiming to launch an all-girl-built satellite and ultimately a lunar payload. The ShakthiSAT includes training through 21 modules and 365 lessons in which the students will learn about the basics of science, satellites and space technology.
According to the mission plan, one satellite is expected to land on the Moon’s surface, while another will revolve in the Moon’s orbit. The ShakthiSAT mission is all set for a launch in October 2026 and is aimed to provide school students practical exposure to satellite development and international space collaboration.
The sky is not the limit anymore. It is only the beginning.
A New Message for Young India
There was a time when space missions seemed distant from the everyday life of school students. Today, that distance is shrinking. Students like Mahima are proving that science is not only for laboratories and senior researchers. It can begin in school corridors, science classrooms and young imaginations. Her selection for ShakthiSAT is a proud moment for India and a motivating story for students across the country. For every child who dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer, astronaut, coder or innovator, Mahima Rajput’s journey carries a simple message: do not reduce your dreams to your age, your class or your location.
YoungIndia.io proudly congratulates Mahima Rajput on her remarkable selection. Her journey from a classroom in Chhattisgarh to an international student space mission is a powerful inspiration for young Indians, especially girls dreaming of careers in science, technology and space research.
