Athira Preetha Rani becomes the third Indian-origin female astronaut at NASA’s space training programme

Being a part of the US Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, is a dream come true for many. Recently, NASA has chosen an Indian-origin woman named Athira Preetha Rani for its upcoming astronaut training programme. Rani becomes the third Indian-origin female astronaut to achieve this feat, after Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams.  

NASA’s space training programme 
NASA launches its space training programme for a fresh batch of aspiring astronauts. In fact, it opens invitations across the globe for individuals to apply for the course to avail this prestigious training. Also called the International Institute of Astronautical Science’s astronaut training programme, NASA conducts this training course in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency and National Research Council of Canada. The training programme lasts for three to five years and provides professional education in the fields of aeronomy, bioastronautics, mission design, space flight operations, flight test engineering, and so much more.  

Athira Preetha Rani: A career overview 
Athira Preetha Rani is a 24-year-old aspiring astronaut who has been selected for the much-coveted International Institute of Astronautical Science’s astronaut training programme known as project PoSSUM alongside eleven other trainee astronauts. She had to go through various stages including medical tests to achieve this feat. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and based in Ottawa, Canada, Rani has a degree in applied robotics from Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ottawa. At present, she runs a start-up called Exo Geo Aerospace Company (focuses on space studies and research) with her husband Gokul. Interestingly, Rani is already a trained pilot having a professional license to fly any aircraft, making her all the more ideal for this space training programme. Sources also cite that Rani has always been passionate about pursuing celestial studies, as proven from her days spent at several astronomy-based clubs (including Astra astronomical club in the capital of Kerala) in and around Kerala. What’s more exciting is that, once Rani successfully completes her training programme, she will be ready to accompany NASA’s crew in any of their upcoming space missions. Having said that, Rani is keen to conduct her own research in the field of bioastronautics.