Bio

Nikhitha C is an Indian based Space Enthusiast, Dr. Kalpana Chawla Scholar from International Space University, Motivational Speaker, and a Social Impact Entrepreneur. She is a so-called mogul for her dedication and passion for space and STEM education.

Her flight of fancy makes us think we are the universe manifesting itself as a human for a jiffy.

She is the co-founder of Society for Space Education Research and Development (SSERD) with a mission to open a space frontier to all by promoting Space Education among the community and prepare the young generation for the Space Revolution. Also, she was the KWAA Youth Icon of 2019 for her outstanding work at inspiring students in STEAM and Space.

Resided in Bangalore - India, Nikhitha has done her Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from Alliance University and is a space geek who has traveled over 6 countries including Mauritius in December 2018 as a Moderator for Space and STEM Education and Outreach in Africa, Sri Lanka in Jan 2019 to teach about Space Science and Advancement of India in Space Industry, France in June 2019 she was part of a Team Project called Space for Urban Planning, where 30 participants from 17 countries came together to find solutions for challenges faced in Urban Planning. And in the same year, she traveled around 3 different places like Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany as part of Space Business and Management Department Activities during Space Studies Program at International Space University and now spends time conducting worldwide meetings, workshops, space talks, and online classes about the importance of space exploration and STEM education to the future of humankind.

Nikhitha is a good preceptor who pledged herself with a focus on educating and exciting people around the world. Now she is becoming a household name among the space nerds and a power machine for inspiring and motivating young students to perceive their goals and dreams. She is a great supporter of Girls and Women In STEAM.

Her goals are within the next 5 years she would like to have many students to come up with innovative solutions and to partner with all the Major National Space Agencies, to share their progress among the students, and also look out for opportunities for students to do their research or Internship in collaboration with these organizations also to partner with the Space Companies and Start-ups to provide the students with the required Jobs so that they can use their talent for the betterment of the Nation. And actively seek funding to reach more students who cannot afford it.

Dec 2018: Mauritius

Participated as Moderator for Space and STEM Education and Outreach in Africa Working group during the 2nd African Space Generation Workshop by SGAC.

Jan 2019: SriLanka

Invited to teach about Space Science and Advancement of India in Space Industry at the Institute of Astronomy, SriLanka.

June - August 2019: France

I had applied for the Space Studies Program at International Space University in France and I was one among 120 participants from all over the world. I had also received a Partial Scholarship - Dr. Kalpana Chawla Scholarship to attend SSP. Wonders happened while I attended SSP. I got a chance to meet Buzz Aldrin and 2 more Astronauts! I had a chance to visit 3 more countries - Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. My Fellow batchmates were Space Lawyers, Space Doctors, Space Engineers, Space Scientists, Space Artists, Space Professors, and many more...

I got the opportunity to learn about the Space Business and Management, Space Policy, Space Science and Technology, Human Performance in Space, Space humanities and Many more from the professionals of the World including NASA, ESA, ISRO, CNES, DLR, JAXA and many more (Video)

I was part of a Team Project called Space for Urban Planning, where 30 participants from 17 countries came together to find solutions for challenges faced in Urban Planning. I headed the Presentation Team, which had present the whole report in a completely non-ppt format. I directed the presentation of 1 hour which included a whole 30 participants to take up one or the other role. You can watch by clicking here fast forward to 5:08 hours.

Overall, I learnt what Indians are for others, Even though we all come from different countries, we were Humans and fellow Earthlings. Space Unites all of us!

July 2019: Luxembourg

Field Trip to SES, Luxembourg as part of Space Business and Management Department Activities during Space Studies Program at International Space University.

July 2019: Switzerland

Field Trip to CERN - Geneva, Switzerland during Space Studies Program at International Space University.

August 2019: Germany

Field Trip to European Space Operation Center, European Space Agency, Germany during Space Studies Program at International Space University.

Bio

This was one of the proud moments for me when I was called the Youth Icon of 2019 by Karnataka Women Achievers' Award (KWAA).