Dr. Srimathy Kesan is the Founder and CEO of Space kidz India, an Indian Aerospace Startup that designs, fabricates and launches small satellites, spacecrafts and ground systems to provide economical and sustainable access to space for education, research and industry.

With 7+ years of experience, Space kidz India has launched 18+ BalloonSats, 2 Suborbital Payloads and 3 Orbital Satellites, including the World’s Smallest and Lightest Satellite-KALAMSAT”, which was launched by NASA. Dr. Srimathy Kesan is the only Indian to be decorated with the Ambassador status to NASA, ESA and GCTC-Moscow. She is committed to promoting STEM education and has recently launched the Orbital Satellite “AzaadiSAT”, which is an “All Women Concept” mission that was built by 750 rural girl students from across India.

Dr. Srimathy Kesan has also successfully collaborated with various national and international organizations, including ISRO, the government of Rajasthan and UNESCO, to promote space awareness and hands-on training for students.

Some of the notable initiatives and collaborations include:

• “Mission PAYANKE”, which was the first-ever launch of a high altitude balloon in the African continent by middle and high school students from Seychelles, in collaboration with Space kidz India and funded by UNESCO.
• The “Joint Friendship Satellite” project with Moscow Aviation Institute, which commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Indo-Russian relationship and aimed to promote the scientific talents of Indian children in Russia.
• The “SKI-NSLV-6” project, where Space kidz India launched a giant balloon, two times the size of the Empire State building, from NASA’s Columbia facility, with a payload designed by its junior team aged between 10 and 15.
• Collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan to launch a Near Space Launch Vehicle (NSLV 3) and conduct Science awareness campaigns.
• Partnership with ISRO to spread Space Awareness across the country. Working with institutions across the country, including students from metro cities to rural backgrounds.

Dr. Srimathy Kesan is a well-known figure in the aerospace industry and has received several awards and accolades for her work, including the “Women Achiever” award from the Indian government, the “Exemplary Women Entrepreneur” award from the Indian Institute of Technology, and the “Outstanding Women Achiever” award from the Indian Science Congress Association.