While I was studied in 6th standard in my secondary school in the year 2003 and at the same time there were lot of discussion about Late Astronaut Kalpana Chawla regarding her 16 days tour in the space. I was also attracted by this news, I read about her passion, enthusiasm most important equality of gender and personal wish supported by the family members. She put her benchmark in the history of Indian Aerospace. In a short duration, she was idol in front of young girls of our country. I am one of them. And my ambition started getting solidify. . I’m passionate about space at very young age. When I realized my dream, I began to gain the knowledge regarding space. I always keen to know more about space and to learn something new, to do something unique, to expand my knowledge related space. First time I got to know about this field when Late Astronaut Dr. Kalpana Chawla flew into space in Columbia space shuttle and while returning earth Columbia get exhausted. That incident woke up me suddenly and that was turning point in my life. This passion will help me in future to build my career on strong bases. I had a base of “Electronics & Tele Communication Engineering” in my undergraduate & bachelor program. I tried to correlate my bachelor’s subjects with aerospace related subjects & with real life examples. To become an “Astronaut” is my childhood dream and that dream is converted into passion which is my life goal now. As my base is Electronics & Tele Communication, so, I need to do more study about aerospace and to do career in aerospace it was necessary for me to get deep knowledge about aerospace. So, to expand and improve my space related knowledge I started collecting information, reading books, attending workshops, seminars, courses, competitions. Through NASA’s “Parker Solar Probe-A Mission To Touch The Sun: Hot Ticket”, that time I actually started study about stars and galaxies. This was my first step towards space science field. This event helped me to increase my knowledge regarding space. Next mission is to NASA’s “Mars 2020 Rover Mission” that is boarding pass “Send Your Name To Mars”.
Problem solving skill is most important skill in space field. To improve this skill and as a participant of “International Astronomy & Astrophysics Competition” I tried to solve the problems related astronomy and astrophysics. I became little bit successful to solve these problems and rewarded with “Bronze Honour”. After completion of my bachelor’s degree, I started technical study of space science in actual manner. Aerospace has very bright future and to keep eye on that, i completed online courses on various subjects like, “Astronautics & Space Technology For Future Human Missions”, “Design & Simulate The Aerodynamics Of Propellers In MATLAB”, “Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals & Advanced”.
All space agencies in the world now looking forward to colonize on Mars and other planets. To gain knowledge regarding this i attended “Teaching Space With NASA: Exploring Mars Science With The Perseverance Rover” professional development lecture by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Today Asteroid is one of the most important factor of research for scientists. So, with this connection i tried to find out asteroid through “International Astronomical Search Collaboration Competition” conducted by NASA with my team. This was one of the most important aspect in my studies for future point of view. As mentioned above, problem solving skill is one of the most important aspect in space science. I later participated in “International Space Apps Challenge Galactic Problem-Solver” challenges on Earth & in Space conducted by NASA. To gain more technical knowledge i participated in “Quiz on International Space Station” conducted Society For Space Education and Research Development. World Space Week in every year October, is to celebrate Space science, i celebrated the program by participating in various events.
Mathematics is key part in educational process. And to improve mathematical skills, i participated in “International Youth Math Challenge (Qualification Round)”. Later to i attended “Rocket Masterclass” organized by Spaceonova. One of the most awaited course for me was by Indian Space Research Organization, on “Geographical Information System”, which somehow different but correlated too with space science. Here i studied geographical aspects, environment, climate, etc.
When i realized my goal is to become an “Astronaut”, since then, i gave my all efforts to study in that direction. While studying in recent days i completed course on “Space Mission Planning & Operations”, conducted by Brahmastra Aerospace Systems. Late Astronaut Dr. Kalpana Chawla who is my inspiration, whenever possible i try to attend activities related to her. National Space Society (USA), India, conducted webinar on “Launching Kalpana Chawla: In The Realm Of Astronaut Maker” it was as always very inspirational for me. Learning new languages is strong point in educational system. Holding the same thread, i did courses on “Python” & “Build A Face Recognition Application Using Python”.
Later one more shining star added in my journey, when i was participated in “GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS” attempt for most users to take an online computer programming lesson in 24 hours by GUVI GREEK NETWORK PRIVATE LIMITED AND AICTE-INDIA. I privileged that I was part of such valuable network. Satellite communication is the base of my bachelor’s degree. To continue this study i completed workshop on “Small -SAT Design & Analysis-1 & 2” conducted by Orbital Space Technologies & Learnings, Open Cosmos & Space Generation Advisory Council.
During pandemic I could focus on my space base knowledge and how I will use it for science & technology, our Earth and for human being. In this duration i found some courses on space science and exploration. The courses i completed conducted by Indian Space Society are “SPACE ED-BASE: Astronautics & Human Space Flight”, “SPACE ED-BASE: Stars & Black Holes”, “SPACE ED-BASE: Rocket Propulsion”. I second time participated in International Astronomy & Astrophysics Competition (Qualification Round). Apart from technical i focused on some non-technical and personality development skills, so i completed courses on “Managing Mental Health & Stress”, “Work-Life Balance & The Impact Of Remote Working” by Coventry University and “Collaborative Working In A Remote Team” by University Of Leeds & Institute OF Coding.
After getting knowledge through theses workshops, competitions, I started working with “International Astronomy & Astrophysics Competition As An Ambassador” in my city. It is very fantastic experience to work with them and encourage young generation for space field, related opportunities and future scope. Later I got one of the biggest opportunities to work with “Space Nation- Spaceport” as a “Universal Citizen Member”. In the Spaceport there are member throughout the world, and we all are working together. We are conducting meetings, expert lectures, webinars, quests, etc. Also, we are conducting daily nuggets, in that we are discussing space related news and articles. This will help me to improve, explore my knowledge and also makes me more confident, helps me to improve my communication skill, stage daring. Also, I just completed “Internship” in “Orbital Space Technologies & Learnings As A Ambassador”.
For me, the meaning of space is “beyond imagination” because the very moment we begin to think about space as something else is happening in the field of space, making it an infinite and dynamic concept. My desire to become an astronaut/space scientist is to further develop my current understanding of space as the presence of microgravity in which astronauts live, work and conduct experiments and apply the same to discovering improved solutions for problems facing the humanity, planet earth and the space at large. In doing so, I wish to contribute to similar ongoing efforts by space agencies like ISRO, NASA, European Space Agency and others.