Jahnavi Dangeti, a 23-year-old hailing from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district, is poised to make history as she prepares for a groundbreaking space mission in 2029. Selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for Titans Space, Jahnavi is set to become the first Indian to join their orbital mission, marking a significant milestone for India in the realm of space exploration.
Jahnavi's journey from a small town to the stars is a testament to her unwavering ambition, dedication, and pioneering spirit. She completed her Intermediate education in her hometown and then pursued a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at Lovely Professional University in Punjab. Her parents, Srinivas and Padmasri, currently reside in Kuwait, providing unwavering support for her aspirations from afar.
Jahnavi's selection as an astronaut candidate paves the way for her participation in Titans Space's inaugural orbital mission, scheduled for March 2029. During this five-hour mission aboard the Titans Genesis spaceplane, Jahnavi and her crew will orbit the Earth twice, experiencing two sunrises and two sunsets while spending approximately three hours in zero gravity. This will provide a revolutionary environment for scientific investigation and human spaceflight development. The mission will be led by veteran NASA astronaut and retired US Army Colonel William McArthur Jr., now serving as Chief Astronaut for Titans Space.
Prior to the mission, Jahnavi will undergo an intensive three-year astronaut training program in the United States, starting in 2026. The training will cover a wide range of essential skills, including flight simulation, spacecraft procedures, survival training, and medical and psychological evaluations.
Jahnavi's accomplishments extend beyond her upcoming space mission. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian to complete NASA's prestigious International Air and Space Program (IASP). She has also actively contributed to asteroid discovery missions and is a passionate advocate for STEM education throughout India, delivering lectures for ISRO's educational programs and addressing students at premier institutions such as the National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Furthermore, she has participated in analog missions, deep-sea diving, and global conferences related to planetary science and sustainability in long-duration space travel. Her contributions to the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) led to a provisional asteroid discovery, based on data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). She was also the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian chosen for Space Iceland's geology training program.
Jahnavi's achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including the People's Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award.
Driven by a desire to inspire others, particularly those from rural backgrounds, Jahnavi hopes to play a vital role in shaping humanity's interplanetary path. She emphasizes that space exploration is accessible to anyone who is willing to pursue it with dedication and perseverance. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, dreams can indeed reach the stars.
