Global All-Female Lunar Mission Gains Momentum in Australia During International Astronautical Congress
Sydney, Australia – In just 40 hours on Australian soil, Dr. Srimathy Kesan — pioneering Founder of Mission ShakthiSAT and Space Kidz India — ignited conversations across politics, education, business, and community about a bold vision: the world’s first lunar mission led entirely by girls.
Representing India at the In-Space Pavilion of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Dr. Kesan brought with her a message of courage, innovation, and possibility. Through her organisation, Space Kidz India, she has already launched 27 student-led missions. Now, with ShakthiSAT, she is taking the next leap — empowering thousands of young girls worldwide to dream of the moon.
Inspiring Engagements Across Australia
With a packed itinerary curated by Sukruti Narayanan, Global Head of Partnerships and Ambassador of Australia, Dr. Kesan met with leaders spanning government, diplomacy, education, and community. Key meetings included:
- State MP for Riverstone Hon. Warren Kirby
- Consul General of Mauritius Dr. Roseline Yardin
- Councillor for Toongabbie Mr. Susai Benjamin
- Afghanistan Ambassador Ms. Mujghan Tahery
- Fiji Ambassador Ms. Sharina Shanaz
- Educational leaders, startups, business clubs, students, and the IAF delegation
The highlight of the visit came when Australia’s Federal Minister for Science & Technology, Hon. Tim Ayres, was personally briefed on the mission. Minister Ayres extended his best wishes to the thousands of girls worldwide taking part in this groundbreaking project.
During the visit, two MoUs were also signed — one with Australian startup Space Angel and another with a UK-based startup — strengthening the mission’s international collaborations.
Empowering Girls Globally – From Villages to Space
So far, Mission ShakthiSAT has engaged 7,000 girls worldwide. The Sydney visit marked the launch of the mission’s second round of outreach, this time with a focus on indigenous, refugee, and rural girls. Its core aim remains clear: to give young women “wings to fly, and most importantly, the courage to dream big.”
In Australia, the mission has partnered with the RAISE ME Foundation, which works to empower communities in STEM, Robotics, AI, Media, and Entrepreneurship. This collaboration will ensure Australian girls, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, are part of the space revolution.
The mission will also involve the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, under the leadership of Melissa Tipo, Partnerships, Industry and Engagement Manager at CSIRO, who is championing this partnership.
Global Recognition Ahead
Dr. Kesan’s global efforts will continue with a high-profile meeting with Her Excellency, President of India Hon. Droupadi Murmu on October 1, 2025. The discussions will further elevate ShakthiSAT’s profile and provide greater clarity on hosting participation from 108 countries in India.
Voices from the Mission
- Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder of Mission ShakthiSAT:
“Every young girl deserves the chance to see herself in space. Through this mission, we are building not just satellites, but courage and confidence in thousands of futures.” - Sukruti Narayanan, Global Head of Partnerships:
“Wearing two hats — as Global Head of Partnerships and as an Australian Ambassador — gives me both a micro and macro lens for this mission. Australia’s multicultural fabric equips me with the perspective to carry ShakthiSAT’s vision to 108 nations worldwide.”
About Mission ShakthiSAT
Mission ShakthiSAT is the world’s first all-female lunar mission, spearheaded by Space Kidz India. With over 7,000 girls already engaged from across 108 countries, the initiative is redefining the future of STEM by empowering young women to become scientists, engineers, and space leaders of tomorrow.
