Andhra Pradesh's Jahnavi Dangeti selected to fly in NASA's space mission. Check her education, family background

Time of India

10 hours ago

In a moment that marks both personal triumph and national pride, 21-year-old
Dangeti Jahnavi
from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district has been selected for a historic space mission to the
Titan Orbital Port Space Station
, expected to launch in 2029. Her journey from a small town to the global space stage is not just inspiring—it's a symbol of India's emerging footprint in futuristic space exploration.
Jahnavi is the first Indian to complete NASA's elite International Air and Space Program (IASP). With her selection for this mission, she will be among a select group of astronauts contributing to the next generation of off-Earth infrastructure. According to PTI reports, her 2029 mission aligns with the launch of the Titan Orbital Port, an advanced space habitat spearheaded by a U.S.-based organisation.
A Stellar Academic Journey
Jahnavi's academic journey began in Palakollu, where she completed her intermediate education before moving to
Lovely Professional University
(LPU) in Punjab to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Her technical training laid a strong foundation for what would become a path-breaking career in space science and technology.
Her parents, Padmasri and Srinivas, currently reside in Kuwait. Despite the distance, they've remained her unwavering support system, watching their daughter ascend to stellar heights.
Beyond the Launchpad
Jahnavi is more than just a future astronaut. She has emerged as a leading voice in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, engaging with students and researchers across India and abroad. From giving talks at ISRO's outreach programs to speaking at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), her influence stretches beyond labs and observatories into classrooms and communities.
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Her participation in analog missions, deep-sea diving, and planetary science forums showcases her preparation for long-duration space missions. Her advocacy is rooted in real-world issues astronauts face — from isolation and radiation to sustainability and resource management.
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Preparing for the Unknown
Among her many achievements, Jahnavi's work with the
International Astronomical Search Collaboration
(IASC) stands out. This NASA-affiliated program enabled her to contribute to
asteroid discovery
through the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, using real-time data for astronomical analysis. Her keen eye and analytical skill led to the identification of new celestial objects, cementing her role in international space research.
She also made history as the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian selected for Space Iceland's geology training program, where she trained in Mars-analog terrains on Earth—vital preparation for the kind of planetary science required in
interplanetary missions
.
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