Zero Gravity, Full Grit: Jahnavi Dangeti’s Mission to Redefine the Sky

Image Source: Gulf News

Only 23 years old, Jahnavi Dangeti will be the first such historical figure in India's space exploration. Being a selected astronaut candidate for the 2029 Titans Space Industries mission, she will be the first Telugu woman and one of the youngest Indians to go to space.

Key Highlights of Her Mission

Jahnavi will fly aboard the Titans Space orbital spaceplane in 2029, making two orbits around the Earth on a five-hour journey.
It will spend three hours in continuous zero gravity and provide a sight of two sunrises and two sunsets.
The team will be led by retired NASA astronaut Colonel William McArthur Jr.

A Journey Based on Curiosity

Jahnavi, born in Palakollu of Andhra Pradesh, was curious about the world since childhood.
She has a BTech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Lovely Professional University.
She is the first Indian graduate of the NASA International Air and Space Program and the youngest foreign analog astronaut in Poland.

Training and International Certification

She begins training as an astronaut in the Titans ASCAN program in 2026, which covers spacecraft systems, survival skills, and psychology.
She has worked on asteroid discovery campaigns and has received awards like NASA Space Apps Challenge People's Choice Award and ISRO's Young Achiever Award.

Empowering the Next Generation

Jahnavi actively advocates STEM education, giving lectures at ISRO seminars and NITs.
Andhra Pradesh Government has assured assistance and invited her to conduct student outreach programs all over the state.

Sources: Gulf News, Hindustan Times, News18, Jagran Josh, Firstpost.