A 17-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh, Kunchala Kaivalya Reddy, has achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected for a prestigious astronaut training programme in the United States. Her journey, starting from the town of Nidadavole in East Godavari district, now leads her to a four-year elite training that could put her into orbit by 2029. This development showcases India’s growing participation in international space collaborations and puts a spotlight on the aspirations and talents emerging from small-town India.
Kaivalya, a bright student with a deep interest in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, has always been passionate about space science. She comes from a humble background — her father is a Panchayat Secretary and her mother a homemaker — but her dedication has now placed her among the top 150 candidates selected from 36 countries for this international training programme.
Her selection was officially confirmed through a personal message from the CEO of the organizing space agency — a moment of immense pride for her family and school.
What the Training Programme Includes
The programme, scheduled to take place in Florida from 2026 to 2029, is part of a rigorous astronaut development track conducted by Titans Space Industries. It includes,
- Advanced spaceflight simulations
- Survival training
- Technical instruction in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems, and zero-gravity adaptation
Upon successful completion, Kaivalya is slated to participate in a 2029 space mission, which will,
- Orbit the Earth twice at a height of around 300 km
- Last approximately five hours, including three hours of zero gravity
- This mission will mark a significant milestone in commercial space education and youth involvement in orbital science.
