Do you remember the first book that left a deep impression on you? Some books leave an indelible impression on our minds and remain in our hearts forever. For some, books lead to their passion as well.
This was the condition of the song. At the age of five, she remembers going to a book fair with her parents where they got her a book about space exploration. This sparked his interest in space which was supplemented by several books on the subject.
The book led to a singular goal. Geet said, “I wanted to be an astronaut.
When she entered grade 7 and her interest in physics and three-dimensional fields continued to grow, she immersed herself in resources and competitions that would help her achieve this goal. Reading about astronauts and astrophysicists, she found an idol in Kate Rubins, the NASA astronaut who was the first person to sequence DNA in space.
Looking for ways to help his career, Rubins, now a 16-year-old Delhi native, a microbiologist, attended NASA’s space camp. Armed with this information, she applied and arrived at NASA’s Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama in June 2024 with a full scholarship provided by the Space Camp Foundation.
The six-day camp at the US Space and Rocket Center exposed participants to various astronaut training exercises, engineering challenges and team-building activities, culminating in an extended-duration simulated space mission, according to their official website.
The camp strengthened the teenager’s passion for space exploration and fueled her desire to become an astronomer.
A stepping stone to a career in space
Geet started looking for opportunities to fulfill her dreams since she was in middle school.
“I became serious about pursuing aerospace as a career after class 7. Since there weren’t many opportunities around me, I was constantly looking for competition. I looked at encyclopedias and books,” shares Geet. Uttam IndiaBefore finally finding out about Rubins’ trip.
Space camp programs are divided by age group starting at age nine. Geet applied for the ‘Advanced Space Academy’ for students aged 15-18.
The program aims to help students explore ‘college and career readiness through immersive experiences in science, engineering, technology and math,’ the website said.
The camp will train you like an astronaut, send you on a Mars mission, flight simulators, scuba diving, building rockets and much more! It is a dream come true for aspiring astronauts, astrophysicists and anyone interested in this field of work.
Geet applied in late 2022 for the June 2024 campaign. Since the program cost was prohibitive, he applied for a full-tuition scholarship, which only five students per program receive, according to him.
Applications open about a year in advance, usually in the fall. Currently, applications are open for programs held in May-August 2025.
“You must send essays, scientific hypotheses and any engineering working models that you have worked on. The application process for the scholarship is very rigorous. You must highlight your achievements, be interested in a space career and have future goals,” says Geet.
Impressed by her application, she received a full tuition scholarship. However, travel and accommodation must be self-funded.
The aspiring astrophysicist achieved her dream in the week starting June 20. Here’s what she did, and what you can expect at space camp.
- An F15 aircraft simulator
You can fly the F15 plane simulator in the camp. It is the third most accurate simulator, says Geet.
- Multi-axis trainer chair
Train like an astronaut to gain control of the spacecraft in the Multi-Axis Trainer Chair (MAT). It simulates a tumble-spin and helps students understand what it’s like to be in space!
- A microgravity simulator
Used by Apollo astronauts to practice moonwalks, this ⅙th chair provides a sense of the moon’s gravitational pull, which is 1/6th the force felt on Earth.
- Space Mission One
Students get to work on three space missions, the first of which was a low-Earth orbit (LEO) mission. Here, Geet is training as an Extra Vehicular Activity Officer (EVA) in the Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR).
- Space Mission Two
Song was Mission Specialist 2 on the second LEO mission. Here, she is monitoring EVAs from the Space Transportation System (STS).
- Song, Mission Specialist!
Here, Song is changing the satellite’s panels and conducting the EVA on mission two.
- Changing the locks of the satellite
Here, Geet, Mission Specialist 2, is changing the satellite’s locks.
- Flight Engineer Song
In the third mission, Geet played the role of a flight engineer in a three-hour long EDM mission. Here, along with another flight engineer, she was in charge of conducting EVAs and maintaining Ouranos (a station on Mars’ moon, Phobos).
Apart from this, students also get to meet rocket scientists and astronauts who share their life stories and what it takes to become what they are.
“The highlight was meeting astronaut Chris Sembrowski. He shared what he did to get here and explained the different paths we can take to reach our goals,” Geet shared.
They participated in debates, team building activities, rockets, leadership activities, and more.
“It has strengthened my passion for space exploration. I have a clear vision of my academic and career goals,” says the Class 11 student at 21K School.
She also won the Right Stuff Award, given to an outstanding camper who embodies not only skills and actions, but also an exceptional attitude, team spirit and leadership.
He aims to pursue a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) or Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Here’s how you can enroll in Space Camp.
Edited by Padmasree Pandey, Image Courtesy: Geet.