In a landmark moment for global cooperation in space science and women-led innovation, the mascot of Mission ShakthiSAT was officially unveiled at the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry Women Empowerment (BRICS CCI WE) Annual Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The unveiling, graced by Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, along with Ms. Ruby Sinha, President BRICS CCI WE, ambassadors, and delegates from BRICS and partner nations, marked a powerful convergence of diplomacy, science, and gender inclusion.
Adding to this moment of recognition and impact, Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder & CEO of Space Kidz India and Mission Director of ShakthiSAT, was honoured with the prestigious “Changemaker of the Year” Award by BRICS CCI WE. She expressed that this recognition is a great honour and a reflection of the collective efforts of young girls, global partners, and supporters who are driving meaningful change through space science and education.
The Shakthi mascot, conceptualised by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, with design execution by artist Bikram Dutt and apparel design by Ms. Harsha (Hashtag), stands as a symbol of strength, UNITY, and the transformative potential of the girl child in shaping the future of space exploration. The 108 flags on the shirt of the mascot represent the 108 participating countries in the mission.This mascot will be carried to the MOON With the 108 Country flags. “ONE UNIVERSE ONE FAMILY”
Rooted in the timeless Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family, Mission ShakthiSAT is a bold global initiative led by Space Kidz India under the leadership of Dr. Srimathy Kesan. The mission aims to empower 12,000 girls from 108 countries through intensive, hands-on training in STEM, satellite engineering, coding, and space systems. Over the course of the program, students undergo extensive hours of structured learning, technical workshops, and collaborative design processes, ensuring that participation goes beyond inspiration to real, measurable skill-building and scientific contribution.
Mission ShakthiSAT is envisioned as the world’s first all-girls international lunar mission, comprising both a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite as a technology demonstrator and a lunar satellite targeting a hard landing on the Moon. This mission is not only a technological endeavor but also a global platform for scientific collaboration, enabling students from diverse geographies to work together on experiments that address real-world challenges. It reflects a shift in the global space paradigm—from isolated missions and duplication of effort to shared knowledge, collective innovation, and responsible use of space resources.
India’s leadership in this initiative underscores its evolving role as a unifying force in the global space ecosystem. By bringing together nations—large and small—Mission ShakthiSAT ensures that access to space is not limited by geography or economic status. The mission seeks to build an inclusive international framework where countries collaborate rather than compete, and where young girls are empowered to lead scientific discovery. In this spirit, the team also looks forward to meaningful engagement with global leadership, including a potential interaction with the Honorable Prime Minister of India, to further strengthen the mission’s vision and impact on a national and international scale.
The unveiling at the BRICS CCI WE Summit aligns with the theme “Women in Innovation, Science & Entrepreneurship (WISE) – Inspiring Change, Shaping Tomorrow,” reinforcing the importance of women’s leadership in shaping future economies and technologies. Mission ShakthiSAT embodies this vision by creating pathways for girls to actively participate in high-impact scientific missions while fostering international cooperation across BRICS+ and partner nations.
Building on the success of previous initiatives such as AzaadiSAT, where 750 rural Indian girls contributed to the development and successful launch of a satellite, Mission ShakthiSAT expands this model globally. It demonstrates that talent exists universally, and that with the right opportunities, mentorship, and access, young minds can contribute meaningfully to advanced scientific and technological missions.
The mission is now entering a critical phase, with selected students from participating countries expected to travel to India for hands-on payload integration, testing, and ground station development, followed by launch preparations.
The international student program and travel to India is scheduled from August 23 to September 1, 2026, during which participants will engage in intensive hands-on training, collaboration, and mission integration activities.
As the mission progresses toward its orbital and lunar milestones, Space Kidz India is actively engaging with global institutions, industry leaders, and stakeholders to build strong support systems and partnerships.
Mission ShakthiSAT is currently seeking CSR partners and institutional collaborators to support this historic initiative. Organizations aligned with the vision of inclusive growth, STEM education, and global cooperation are invited to partner in enabling access, infrastructure, training, and mission development—ensuring that this transformative opportunity reaches deserving girls across the world.
Mission ShakthiSAT is supported by a strong ecosystem of partners and collaborators who have stood by the initiative and contributed to its growth and impact. The team extends its sincere gratitude to IN-SPACe, ISRO, Hexaware, Ananth Technologies, Zoho Learn, AIMERS Foundation, Meridien Space Command, BCI Aerospace, World Space Week Association, and several other global and regional partners, whose continued support has been instrumental in advancing the mission’s goals.
The Shakthi mascot represents more than a mission—it represents a movement. A movement where a girl from any part of the world can build, innovate, and lead in space science. A movement where nations come together not in competition, but in collaboration. And a movement where space becomes a shared platform for peace, progress, and collective human advancement.
Space Kidz India, the organization behind this initiative, has established itself as a pioneer in student-led space missions, having launched over 20 balloon satellites, 3 suborbital satellites, 5 orbital satellites, and 2 rocket launches, while inspiring thousands of students through hands-on international exposure and training. With Mission ShakthiSAT, the organization takes a significant step forward in scaling its vision globally, positioning India at the forefront of a new era in space exploration defined by inclusion, collaboration, and purpose.
Media Contact
Company Name: Space Kidz India
Contact Person: Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO
Email: Send Email
Phone: +919962833622
Country: India
Website: https://www.spacekidzindia.in
