Dr. Srimathy Kesan

Dr. Srimathy Kesan
Born	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Space Educator, Social Reformer
Known for	Founder and CEO of Space Kidz India; missions such as KalamSAT and AzaadiSAT
Education	Travel and Tourism Management; Honorary Ph.D. in “Education through Travel”, Cosmopolitan University, USA
Years active	2010–present
Organization	Space Kidz India
Website	[[1](https://www.spacekidzindia.in) spacekidzindia.in]

Dr. Srimathy Kesan is an Indian entrepreneur, space educator, and social reformer best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Space Kidz India (SKI). Her organization has pioneered student satellite programs, inspiring young innovators and bridging the gap between education and aerospace technology through collaborations with ISRO and NASA.

Early life and education

Dr. Kesan was born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She pursued her higher studies in Travel and Tourism Management and later earned an honorary doctorate in “Education through Travel” from Cosmopolitan University, USA.

From a young age, she demonstrated leadership and discipline as part of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), becoming the first female Parade Commander for the Andhra Pradesh Contingent at the Republic Day Parade in 1992. She was honored as the “Best Cadet” of the year. A passionate athlete, she represented Andhra Pradesh in national-level basketball tournaments and won medals in athletics events such as javelin, shot put, and relays.

Career

Founding of Space Kidz India

In 2010, Dr. Srimathy founded Space Kidz India with a mission to make space science accessible to students. The initiative empowers young learners to design, build, and launch their own satellites and experiments. Her team’s projects have placed India on the global map of educational space innovation.

Notable missions

• KALAMSAT – The world’s smallest and lightest satellite, launched by NASA.
• KALAMSAT-V2 – India’s student-built satellite launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C44.
• AzaadiSAT and AzaadiSAT 2.0 – Designed and built by 750 girls from government schools to promote women’s participation in space.
• NSLV Balloon Mission – A high-altitude scientific payload launched in partnership with NASA.

Under her leadership, SKI has executed over 25 high-altitude balloon missions and 5 orbital satellite missions, marking an unprecedented contribution to India’s youth-driven space ecosystem.

Global collaborations and outreach

Dr. Kesan is recognized as an ambassador to NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow.

Her initiatives include:

• Mission Payanke (Seychelles) – A UNESCO-backed global space education campaign.
• Friendship Satellite Project – A collaboration between India and Russia.
• Zero Gravity Flight Program – She became the first Indian woman to experience zero gravity alongside Apollo astronauts Charles Duke and Poppy Northcutt.

Awards and recognition

Dr. Srimathy Kesan’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally through numerous awards:

National honors

• Devi Award – The New Indian Express (2024)
• Abdul Kalam Award for Science and Technology
• Kalvi Tharagai Award (2022)
• Pride of India Award (CNBC & 1000 Petals Foundation, 2016)
• Cavinkare Chinnikrishnan Innovation Award (2013)

International honors

• Women Leaders in Electronics Award – UK House of Lords (2025)
• Globant Global Award for Women in Tech – India Region (2023)
• Women Icon Award – Singapore (2017)
• Legendary Lioness Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)

Other recognitions

• Featured in Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Rotary Club Port City, 2015)
• FICCI FLO – Best Social Entrepreneur Award

Advisory roles and publications

Dr. Kesan serves as a member of the Planning Board at Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal, and as an Advisor at AMET University. She is also the author of First Kids on the Moon, a children’s space fiction novel.

She has presented her work on nanosatellites and educational balloon missions at the University of Oxford and other global academic platforms.

Social initiatives

Beyond aerospace, Dr. Srimathy actively champions social causes such as breast cancer awareness, anti–female foeticide campaigns, and rehabilitation for underprivileged children. She has led major relief and education outreach efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Chennai floods.

Cultural representation

Under her leadership, Space Kidz India’s cultural delegation performed at the 2012 London Olympics and later in Canada and the United States, showcasing India’s youth and cultural excellence on global stages.

See also

• Space Kidz India
• KalamSAT
• AzaadiSAT
• Indian Space Research Organisation
• Women in STEM