Jahnavi Dangeti to Become First Indian Woman on Private Space Mission

From watching the stars in a small Andhra Pradesh town to training for a historic spaceflight, 23-year-old Jahnavi Dangeti is all set to make history. The young aerospace enthusiast from Palakollu has been selected as an astronaut candidate for the 2029 Titans Space Mission, becoming the first Indian to complete NASA’s prestigious International Air and Space Program (IASP) and possibly the first Indian woman to fly on an international private space mission.

Dangeti will begin her astronaut training in 2026 under the guidance of retired NASA astronaut William McArthur Jr. Her mission: a flight to the Titan Orbital Space Station, scheduled for launch in 2029. She will undergo rigorous preparations, including simulations, spacecraft systems training, zero-gravity conditioning, and survival drills.

Her selection for the elite programme marks a major milestone—not just for her but for India’s growing representation in global space exploration.