On June 23, 2025, Dangeti Jahnavi from Palakollu, Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for the space mission of the Florida, United States of America (USA) based Titan Space Industries (TSI), a private agency engaged in space research.
- Dangeti Jahnavi is the first Indian selected for TSI’s orbital mission to the Orbital Port Space Station, scheduled for launch in 2029.
- She has also become the first Indian to successfully complete Washington (USA) based National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA)’s International Air and Space Program(IASP).
About Titan Space Mission (TSI):
i.The TSI, formerly known as EarthLoop Orbital Cruise, is a commercial spaceflight initiative aimed at democratizing access to low-earth orbit.
ii.The mission will be led by NASA Astronaut Colonel (Retired) William Mc. Arthur Jr, Chief Astronaut, TSI.
iii.The mission will carry astronaut candidates on a 5-hour orbital journey, completing at least two full orbits around Earth at an altitude of 300 kilometers (kms).
- It will feature 3-hours of sustained zero-gravity, offering valuable research opportunities in microgravity.
iv.The astronauts will undergo an intensive three-year ASCAN training program from 2026, covering spacecraft operations, simulations, survival skills, and medical assessments.
About Dangeti Jahnavi:
i.Dangeti Jahnavi is known for her active engagement in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education and space outreach.
iii.She has delivered talks for Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s educational programs and addressed students at premier institutions including National Institutes of Technology (NITs) across India.
iv.Her contributions to the International Astronomical Search Collaboration led to a provisional asteroid discovery, based on data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS).
v.In 2022, she became the youngest participant(at the agr of 19) in the Analog Astronaut Programme conducted by the Analog Astronaut Training Centre (AATC) in Krakow, South Poland, and the first Indian selected for Space Iceland’s geology training.
vi.She was recognized with numerous awards, including the People’s Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge in 2021 and the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award in 2022.
About National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator – Janet Petro
Headquarters – Washington, United States of America (USA)
Established – 1958
