World Record in Orbit: Girls Across 108 Nations Build Satellite Together in India

Girls from 108 countries have set a world record by building ShakthiSAT, a 12U CubeSat developed entirely by young women under India’s Space Kidz India initiative. The satellite will launch aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on October 5, 2026, marking the largest all-girls international space collaboration to date.

Mission ShakthiSAT Overview

• Led by: Space Kidz India (Chennai-based organization promoting youth in space science)
• Participants: Girls from 108 countries, including India, Egypt, USA, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, Latvia, and the Philippines
• Satellite Type: 12U CubeSat (compact satellite with multiple payloads)
• Launch Vehicle: ISRO’s SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle)
• Launch Date: October 5, 2026

Hands-On Engineering Experience

• Spacecraft assembly: mechanical integration, structure preparation
• Electrical fabrication: wiring, solar panel soldering, power-bus setup
• Payload integration: scientific instruments and mission systems
• Mission design: coding, electronics, and testing

International Collaboration

• Supported by: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), making it a platform for youth diplomacy
• Partner institutions:
  • Egyptian Space Agency
  • University of South Alabama (USA)
  • Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University
  • Indian Aerospace University
  • SMW Engineering, Shamal & Partners, 2H5

Significance

• World Record: Largest all-girls satellite collaboration ever
• STEM Empowerment: Moves beyond classroom learning to real-world aerospace engineering
• Symbolic Impact: Demonstrates that girls can be builders, designers, and leaders in space exploration
• Long-Term Vision: ShakthiSAT is a step toward future lunar missions, with plans to involve 12,000 girls worldwide

Challenges + Opportunities

• Challenge: Coordinating across 108 countries required immense logistical and cultural collaboration
• Opportunity: Creates a new model for global STEM education, combining engineering with diplomacy
• Risk: Sustaining momentum beyond the launch will require continued funding and institutional support.