Jahnavi will undergo rigorous astronaut training through Titan Space’s ASCAN programme for the mission slated for launch in 2029

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metro india news  I hyderabad

 “I chased the moon at 18, with a program at NASA, said Jahnavi, the 23 year-old from Palakollu in West Godavari. Growing up listening to stories on the outer world, the B.Tech graduate was interested in space from an early age. In 2022, Jahnavi trained at the Analog Astronauts Training Center (AATC) in Poland, became the youngest analog astronaut.

Today, she is on the cusp of achieving greatness after being selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for the Titan Space Mission undertaken by the US-based private space research company Titan Space Industries (TSI). The prestigious mission will be led by former NASA astronaut, retired Colonel William McArthur Jr.

 Jahnavi’s journey has been remarkable. She bagged the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award in recognition of her efforts in space outreach. Among her many accomplishments, she became the youngest foreign analog astronaut when she trained in Space Iceland’s geology-based analog missions. She also won the People’s Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge, highlighting her innovative contributions.

In 2022, Jahnavi who was trained at the Analog Astronauts Training Center (AATC) in Poland, became the youngest analog astronaut. She created history by participating in the International Air and Space Program organized by NASA. It was the first instance of a program that had participants not only from India but also from the Asian continent until then. She engages in asteroid search campaigns and made a provisional asteroid discovery as part of the International Astronomical Search Collaboration. It was based on image data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System.  

An avid advocate of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) she has delivered lectures across India and ISRO’s outreach programmes. She has done deep sea diving as well. Jahnavi even participated in the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), where she made a provisional asteroid discovery. Speaking about the future, she says, “From 2026 onwards she would undergo rigorous astronaut training in the Titan Space ASCAN program for the next three years. 

The training will include flight simulation, spacecraft procedures, survival training, medical and psychological assessments. "The five-hour orbital space flight in 2029 will create a new compass for scientific research and human space research," she said on social media.