Who is Jahnavi Dangeti, the first Indian to complete Nasa programme and set to go to space in 2029?

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Jahnavi Dangeti, from Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district, is set to make history. The 23-year-old, who became the first Indian to complete a Nasa programme, will travel to space in 2029. She was selected as an Astronaut Candidate (Ascan) for Titans Space's very first orbital mission. Here's what we know about her read more
Jahnavi Dangeti's selection as an astronaut candidate opens the door for her participation in Titans Space's very first orbital mission, which is scheduled for March 2029. Image courtesy: instagram/mystic_galaxia
In an exciting milestone for India's space ambitions, 23-year-old Jahnavi Dangeti from Andhra Pradesh is all set to make history. She has been selected as an Astronaut Candidate (Ascan) for the prestigious Titans Space Astronaut Class of 2025.
Jahnavi's selection opens the door for her participation in the very first orbital mission of Titans Space, a US-based private aerospace company.
Their mission is scheduled for March 2029 and will last around five hours, with Jahnavi travelling to space under the leadership of veteran American astronaut Bill MacArthur.
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Not only this, but Jahnavi also became the first Indian to successfully complete Nasa's International Air and Space Program.
'As a kid who believed the Moon followed me, I didn't know it was leading me here. Today, that wonder becomes part of my reality,' she wrote on Instagram, describing her achievement.
So, who is Jahnavi Dangeti? What has been her journey to becoming an astronaut like? Here's a closer look.
Who is
Jahnavi Dangeti?
-Jahnavi Dangeti comes from Palakollu, a small town in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district. She completed her schooling locally and went on to pursue a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Lovely Professional University in Punjab.
-Her parents, Srinivas and Padmasri, currently work and live in Kuwait.
-Over the years, Jahnavi has immersed herself in STEM education and space outreach programmes. She has spoken at several prestigious platforms, including Isro's outreach initiatives and events held at premier institutions like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) across India.
Jahnavi has immersed herself in STEM education and space outreach programmes. She has spoken at several prestigious platforms. Image courtesy: instagram/mystic_galaxia
-Alongside her academic journey, Jahnavi has actively participated in analog missions, deep-sea diving, and international conferences — all aimed at enhancing her understanding of planetary science, simulated space environments, and long-duration space missions.
In a conversation with the Deccan Chronicle, she shared her motivation, 'I want to inspire rural students and help them go to space. I was born in a small town like Palakollu. Many youths think they can't go to space. But, they can, if they make a serious try. I hope to play a vital role in shaping humanity's interplanetary path."
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-Her space journey includes contributions to the International Astronomical Search Collaboration, where she took part in asteroid search campaigns that support scientific data collection and research.
-During one of these campaigns, she even made a provisional asteroid discovery using image data captured by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System.
-Jahnavi also holds the distinction of being the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian to be selected for geology training in Iceland — a programme designed to simulate Martian terrain and train scientists for future planetary missions.
Jahnavi holds the distinction of being the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian to be selected for geology training in Iceland. Image courtesy: instagram/mystic_galaxia
-Her achievements include the People's Choice Award at the Nasa Space Apps Challenge and Isro's World Space Week Young Achiever Award.
-Jahnavi will potentially join the select group of astronauts who have represented India in space. The first was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who made history in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft.
Since then, India has yet to send another citizen into space under its own programme, but that is set to change. Isro is preparing for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit.
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Among those selected is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , a seasoned test pilot from Lucknow, who is expected to be part of future crewed missions, including potential stays on the International Space Station. He has currently selected as a pilot for the Axiom Mission 4, which is expected to take off tomorrow.
If successful, Jahnavi could become one of the first Indian civilians—especially a woman—to join this elite list.
With input from agencies