From Theory to Space: How the International Stage of Mission ShakthiSAT Is Playing in India
Just recently, 15-year-old Elif Gylyjova was studying satellite technology, physics, astronomy, and other STEM subjects in front of a computer screen, completing 21 modules of the international Mission ShakthiSAT program. We covered this in the article "Reaching for the Stars: The Story of a 15-Year-Old Girl from Turkmenistan."
Today, her classroom is no longer a virtual one. Elif is in India, where she is participating in the international stage of the program dedicated to space technology and STEM education, along with participants from various countries.
From August 23 to 31, the practical stage of Mission ShakthiSAT is taking place at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida. For schoolgirls, this is an opportunity to transition from online learning to firsthand exposure to space engineering, technical systems, and industry specialists.
Judging by the photos and videos the participants are sharing from India, the program has been intense from the very first day. One of the defining features of Mission ShakthiSAT was its international composition. Women from 108 countries gathered in India to study space technology, network, and collaborate on common goals. The photos clearly demonstrate the diversity of this team. Participants get to know each other, take photos together, socialize between classes, and introduce each other to their countries and cultures.
Elif has already met her peers from around the world. In the photographs, she is joined by girls in Indian national dress, along with participants from various Asian countries and beyond. Each has their own culture and history, but they are now united by a shared interest in science and space.
For Elif, this is no less an important part of the trip than the academic sessions: she has the opportunity to represent Turkmenistan on an international team and meet future specialists from various countries. During the first days of the Indian leg, they participated in official events, an international diplomatic meeting, technical workshops, and meetings with representatives of India's scientific and space community.
On the university campus, the girls can see models of spacecraft and rockets, learn about various areas of the space industry, and understand how knowledge from physics, mathematics, and other disciplines is applied to real-world space projects.
The photographs show Elif next to a model of an ISRO rocket, as well as against the backdrop of large-scale Mission ShakthiSAT exhibits. For a schoolgirl who recently studied space technology online, this is a completely different level of immersion in the topic.
In the international program, the girls are accompanied by ambassadors—adult representatives of the program from each country. Our Elif is accompanied by Maral Rejepova, Mission ShakthiSAT Ambassador in Turkmenistan. The most interesting things happen not only in front of the cameras. One of the activities during the international stage was a special workshop on satellite thermal systems. It was led by Dr. Alok Srivastava, Director of XDLINX Space Labs and former Deputy Director of the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO.
The participants explored how satellites withstand the extreme thermal conditions of space and why thermal management is critical for the operation of electronic components, batteries, sensors, and other spacecraft systems.
During the workshop, the students learned about various technologies used for thermal control: MLI - multilayer insulation; OSR - optical solar reflectors; heat pipes; special coatings; and thermal sensors.
The participants also studied the fundamentals of heat transfer, space materials, and thermal analysis methods. At first glance, this may seem like a very complex topic, even for a student. But this is precisely what makes Mission ShakthiSAT so special. Schoolchildren get the opportunity to become familiar with the challenges faced by real space engineers.
Particularly interesting photographs show another stage of the practical training. The participants work in special protective clothing—lab coats, caps, and shoe covers. This reminds us of the high standards of cleanliness and accuracy when working with space equipment.
Building a spacecraft requires exceptional precision. Simply knowing physics or solving complex mathematical problems isn't enough. Attention, discipline, accuracy, and teamwork are essential.
These are the skills the participants are currently learning in India—not in a typical school lesson, but in an environment as close as possible to real engineering work.
However, Mission ShakthiSAT is not just about technical activities. The participants spend a lot of time together. They get to know each other, talk, take photos, share experiences, and simply spend time with each other.
Cultural exchange plays a special role. At official events, the girls can represent their countries, and the Indian participants introduce guests to their culture. Thus, the technical program gradually transforms into a space for international communication. And perhaps this will become one of the most treasured memories of the Indian trip.
Elif's journey to this stage began several months ago. Of the 14 schoolgirls representing Turkmenistan in the Mission ShakthiSAT program, only three completed the full academic round and advanced to the finals. Following the final selection, Elif Gylyjova earned the right to represent our country at the practical stage in India.
She still has several days of a busy program ahead of her, including new technical classes, meetings, and practical experience. While it's not always possible to contact Elif directly, photos and videos already provide a glimpse into the main point: her trip to India is more than just participation in an international event. It's the next step from space exploration to its practical development.
Until recently, Elif was completing training modules online. Today, she stands next to space technology, interacts with future engineers and scientists from around the world, and gains her first experience immersed in a real space engineering environment. This means her journey to the stars continues.
And perhaps the most interesting part of this story is yet to come.
Maya Annaeva
