From Andhra govt school to Moon mission: Carpenter's daughter joins global space team

A Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school has been selected among India's 20 participants for Mission ShakthiSAT, the world's first all-girls lunar CubeSat mission. Daughter of a carpenter, Kandula Jessie's journey from a school tinkering lab to a global space programme is inspiring students across the country.Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school has been selected among India's 20 participants for Mission ShakthiSAT, the world's first all-girls lunar CubeSat mission. A Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school has gone from attending science classes after school to earning a place in the world's first global all-girls lunar CubeSat mission.According to The Times of India, 14-year-old Kandula Jessie is among just 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT after competing with nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries.A DREAM THAT BEGAN IN A SCHOOL LABJessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School (ZPGHS), Dowleswaram, and is the only student from Andhra Pradesh to make the final Indian list.Her journey began when her physical science teacher and Atal Tinkering Lab in-charge, Manimala, noticed her curiosity for science and enrolled her in the programme last year. The coursework was anything but easy.It included nearly 550 online sessions across 21 modules covering satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics and space technology, far beyond a Class 10 syllabus. "I found many concepts difficult initially because they were far more advanced than what we study in school, but I continued attending the classes every day," Jessie told The Times of India.THE INTERVIEW THAT CHANGED EVERYTHINGThe final selection involved online learning, a one-hour interview with scientists and programme coordinators, and a one-minute video explaining Mission ShakthiSAT and the importance of STEM education.Since the interview was conducted entirely in English with international experts, Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the help of her teachers and educational videos."I was nervous speaking to international scientists. I never expected a government school student like me would get selected," she said.A FAMILY'S SACRIFICE, A DAUGHTER'S SUCCESSJessie's parents had shifted her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her father works as a carpenter.Her mother, Aruna, recalled that watching her daughter confidently interact with international scientists was among the proudest moments of their lives.Beginning August 23, Jessie will undergo training in New Delhi, where she will work alongside scientists on satellite design, payload development and mission operations for the student-built lunar CubeSat planned for launch from Sriharikota on October 11.She now has an even bigger goal."After getting selected for this programme, I feel that with hard work I can achieve my dream of joining ISRO. I also want to support my parents and make my teachers and school proud," Jessie said.The achievement also drew praise online. Andhra Pradesh IT advisor Sana Sathish Babu wrote on X, "Stories like hers reflect the vision championed by Hon'ble CM @ncbn Garu and Hon'ble Education Minister @naralokesh Garu, giving government school students world-class exposure and the confidence to dream big."Last month, Mahima Rajput, a Class 10 student, was also selected from India for the international space mission ShakthiSAT.For thousands of students studying in government schools, Jessie's journey is proof that a classroom, a supportive teacher and relentless determination can sometimes be enough to put the Moon within reach.- EndsPublished On: Jul 23, 2026 12:12 IST