Reaching for the Stars: The Story of a 15-Year-Old Girl from Turkmenistan
Space technology, physics, advanced mathematics, and programming - for a long time, these fields were considered a predominantly male domain. However, times are changing, and today young girls from all over the planet are proving that there are no gender boundaries when it comes to intellect, talent, and dreaming of the stars.
A striking testament to this is the global international initiative ShakthiSat - a large-scale educational program in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) that has brought together ambitious young women from 108 countries. The main goal of the project goes far beyond dry theory; it focuses on real space science and preparation for launching an actual satellite into low Earth orbit.
The ShakthiSat program is implemented with the support of Indian organizations working in the field of space technology and STEM education. Participants get the opportunity to study the fundamentals of satellite building, and the top achievers are admitted to the practical stage of working on a real space project.
The number 108 in the project's name and concept was not chosen by chance. In aerospace engineering, a ratio of approximately 108 is referred to as the "master cosmic alignment." This is a remarkable geometric coincidence of our Solar System. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is roughly equal to 108 diameters of the Sun. Similarly, the distance from the Earth to the Moon is approximately 108 diameters of the Moon. It is precisely because of this unique balance that the apparent sizes of the Moon and the Sun in our sky look the same, making total solar eclipses possible. For the ShakthiSAT lunar mission, this number became a symbol of universal precision and harmony.
It is precisely due to this unique cosmic balance that the apparent sizes of the Moon and the Sun seem identical in our sky, making total solar eclipses possible. For the ShakthiSAT lunar mission, this number has become a symbol of universal precision and harmony.
In many cultures, particularly in India, the number 108 is considered symbolic, associated with enlightenment, harmony, and the pursuit of perfection.
This is why the organizers set an ambitious goal - to unite participants from 108 countries around a shared vision of scientific progress, international cooperation, and space exploration.
The project was initiated by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, an Indian scientist, engineer, and the founder of the space education program Space Kidz India. For many years, she has been popularizing science and technology among children and youth, with a special emphasis on empowering girls in STEM. Under her leadership, Space Kidz India has successfully executed a number of international educational satellite launches, preparing school students for careers in the aerospace industry.
For Dr. Srimathy Kesan herself, ShakthiSat is not just an educational program, but an opportunity to demonstrate that the future of the space industry must be built on equal opportunities for talented young minds, regardless of their gender or country of residence.
Fourteen schoolgirls from Turkmenistan participated in this prestigious program. However, only a few made it to the finals, and the right to represent our country at the practical stage in India was earned by 15-year-old Elif Gylyjova.
Through Thorns to the Stars: 21 Modules and Iron Discipline
The ShakthiSat program is not a recreational camp; it is a serious and deep dive into satellite technologies and astronomy. The training was conducted online and consisted of 21 highly challenging educational modules.
Many people know how difficult distance learning is. There are no teachers constantly watching over you, and there are no rigid classroom boundaries. Online learning demands immense responsibility, maturity, and iron self-discipline. When your peers are relaxing or hanging out, it takes a high level of mental and emotional intelligence to realize that you need to sit down and tackle complex physics and math formulas. It is the highest form of mental and emotional intelligence.
To reach the end, not give up halfway through due to fatigue or boredom, and to cope with the enormous amount of information—this is a tremendous victory in itself, requiring a strong character. Of the 14 participants from Turkmenistan, three girls brilliantly overcame this challenge and advanced to the finals:
Leyli Zakhyrova, School No. 7, Gerogly, Dashoguz;
Aybolek Andagurbanova, School for Gifted Children No. 24, Mary;
Elif Gylyjova, School No. 87, Ashgabat.
The Decisive Choice: From Interview to Flight to India
The final stage of the program was an online interview with an international team of ShakthiSat experts. This assessed not only the knowledge gained during the 21 modules but also soft skills: critical thinking, determination, stress tolerance, and a genuine passion for space.
Based on rigorous evaluation criteria, the project team made its final selection. Elif Gylyjova was named the winner. This talented 15-year-old will represent Turkmenistan at the practical training stage, which will take place in India at the end of August.
To learn more about her path to victory, her motivation, and her plans for the future, we spoke with Elif.
Space Begins with a Dream: An Interview with Elif Gylyjova
“Elif, space technology and STEM are quite rare hobbies for a 15-year-old. How did your interest in space, physics, and mathematics begin?”
Elif: I first became interested in science and technology when I was 10 years old. My mother suggested that I participate in the Technovation Girls program. To be honest, I didn't want to at first, but my mom convinced me to at least give it a try. And I really loved it! We formed a team and successfully completed many projects together. What I love most about STEM is that we all learn to find unique solutions to complex problems.
“The ShakthiSat program consists of 21 difficult online modules. Were there moments when you felt like giving up or when exhaustion caught up with you? What kept you going when your peers were resting and you had to study?”
Elif: Of course, there were moments when things got really tough. The volume of information provided was huge, and the time to master it was quite limited. But sports saved me. I am an athlete. The discipline I gained through training, time-management skills, and a competitive spirit helped me cope. I even had to temporarily pause my sports practices for the sake of this program, but it was definitely worth it.
“Out of 14 participants from Turkmenistan, you are the one flying to India. What did you feel when you found out that the international team chose you after the final interview?”
Elif: First of all, immense joy. I am truly grateful for everything that has happened and for the tremendous experience I’ve already gained. I am so excited to move on to the next stage. When the results were announced, I felt a certain sense of relief, but at the same time, I realize that August 23rd is just around the corner. There's no time to slack off. Now I need to study the material even deeper, especially electronics.
”The end of August is coming up very soon. What are you looking forward to the most regarding your trip to India and working on a real space satellite?”
Elif: I am looking forward with great anticipation to meeting girls from other countries, the engineers, and the organizers who put so much effort into this program. I can't wait to be part of the team building an actual satellite and to work in the testing and research laboratories. And I would also love to personally interview the program organizers and ask them how they came up with such an amazing idea!
“Elif, you are an example of incredible determination. At just 15 years old, you possess a rare quality, the ability to focus on a grand goal and move toward it step by step, despite difficulties and fatigue. We congratulate you on this magnificent victory and wish you the best of luck in India! May this satellite mark the beginning of your long and bright journey in science. Turkmenistan is proud of you!”
What Awaits Elif in India?
The most exciting part lies ahead for Elif. The trip to India will open doors into the world of hands-on, practical aerospace engineering. As part of the program's final phase, participants from all over the world will gather to apply their knowledge in practice: working in state-of-the-art laboratories and taking a direct part in preparing the satellite for launch.
This trip is more than just a reward for hard work. It is a unique opportunity to showcase the potential of Turkmenistan's youth on the global scientific stage, establish international connections with like-minded peers, and take another crucial step toward a career in science and high tech.
By Maya Annayeva
