Indian-origin astronauts who took to space: Where did they study from
Across decades and continents, Indian-origin astronauts have become symbols of human ambition, piloting spacecraft, walking in zero gravity, and pushing the frontiers of science beyond Earth's cradle.
Their presence aboard international missions reflects not just individual brilliance, but the quiet power of perseverance, identity, and global education.
But long before space capsules and mission briefings, there were chalkboards, lab benches, and sleepless nights over textbooks. Their cosmic journeys did not begin at the launchpad, they began in classrooms. From Indian engineering colleges to American military academies and international universities, these are the institutions that prepared them to defy gravity and redefine possibility.
Raja Chari
– Calibrated for command
Raja Chari's path to space was charted not by chance, but by calculated discipline and intellectual precision. Long before he ever commanded a spacecraft, he was being shaped by institutions that demanded excellence in thought, character, and control.
At the United States Air Force Academy, Chari pursued a Bachelor's in Astronautical Engineering, a decision that paired the rigidity of physics with the unpredictability of flight.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
It was here that he first balanced equations and expectations, military codes and celestial mechanics.
Then came MIT, where as a Draper Fellow, he immersed himself in the intricate language of propulsion and orbital dynamics. His Master's degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics wasn't just academic—it deepened his fluency in flight systems that would later define life-and-death moments in the cockpit.
At the US Naval Test Pilot School, he evolved from engineer to aviator, from theory to practice.
Flying at the edge of the envelope, Chari learned not only to operate aircraft but to trust judgment over instinct—essential training for navigating the black silence of space.
His education didn't simply prepare him to fly; it embedded in him a quiet mastery, a capacity to lead when velocity meets vulnerability.
Sunita Williams
– The Engineer of endurance
Sunita Williams' steady grace in orbit is no accident. It was earned, shaped by years of education that demanded both discipline and resilience, and forged in classrooms where curiosity was never separate from service.
At the United States Naval Academy, Williams pursued a degree in Physical Science. Her days were filled with calculations and cadet drills, a life that trained both mind and muscle. It was here she began to internalize the mechanics of motion and the magnitude of responsibility.
Later, at the Florida Institute of Technology, she earned her Master's in Engineering Management. The programme gave her not just technical perspective, but systems-level clarity—equipping her to think like a mission commander before she ever became one.
Her academic path did more than build knowledge; it nurtured composure. Whether commanding the ISS or walking in space, Williams drew on that same foundation—quiet, precise, enduring.
Sirisha Bandla
– Engineering the Future of Flight
Sirisha Bandla's journey is woven from equal parts calculation and courage. As a child of aerospace dreams, she pursued education not just to understand flight, but to shape its future.
At Purdue University, she earned a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering at the very institution that launched Neil Armstrong's lunar legacy.
There, she absorbed the fundamentals of aerodynamics and propulsion, grounding her aspirations in structure and logic.
But her orbit would take her beyond engineering. At George Washington University, she earned an MBA, mastering the business and policy frameworks that now steer the private space industry. It was a transition from circuits to strategy, from the lab bench to the boardroom.
Her academic journey wasn't linear—it was layered.
And that dual fluency in science and systems is what placed her at the helm of commercial space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla
– ISRO's Flagbearer in Orbit
Shubhanshu Shukla's ascent to the stars began in the heart of India, shaped by classrooms that nurtured both intellect and intent. His story is one of quiet determination, charted through the nation's most disciplined academic institutions.
He began at City Montessori School in Lucknow, where global citizenship was more than a motto, it was a way of thinking.
There, Shukla's early promise was matched by a rigorous education rooted in moral clarity and academic rigour.
At the National Defence Academy in Pune, he pursued a Bachelor's in Computer Science, training alongside India's future military leaders. It was here that intellect met endurance, and where his vision for space was sharpened by discipline.
Graduating from the Indian Air Force Academy, Shukla took to the skies as a fighter pilot, honing skills in precision, composure, and high-altitude decision-making.
Those same instincts would carry him into orbit as ISRO's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station in 2025.
His education wasn't just preparation, it was propulsion.
Kalpana Chawla
– Scholar of the Skies
Kalpana Chawla's legacy began in the unlikeliest of places: a modest town in Haryana, where she dreamed of flying while most were grounded by expectation. Her academic path became her rebellion, and ultimately, her immortality.
At Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, she became one of the first women to graduate in Aeronautical Engineering.
In a field dominated by men, Chawla's quiet resolve spoke volumes. Each calculation, each sleepless night at the drafting table, was a step toward the stars.
She took her dreams westward to the University of Texas at Arlington, where her Master's in Aerospace Engineering layered her ambition with depth. Her questions became more complex, her confidence sharper.
At the University of Colorado Boulder, she earned her PhD, cementing her status not just as a student of the sky, but as a contributor to the science that would one day carry her into it.
Her degrees weren't just academic achievements, they were launch codes, unlocking the boundless.
Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pen vs keyboard: Study finds handwriting wins for learning and recall
In a world dominated by keyboards and screens, research shows the pros of traditional writing with pen—handwritten notes. A growing body of research suggests that writing by hand isn't just about personal preference; it may actually improve learning, memory, and creative thinking. According to studies, handwritten notes lead to stronger understanding and better recall than typed ones. Whether you're a student trying to absorb more in class or a professional looking to think more clearly, handwriting may offer cognitive advantages that typing simply can't match. Here's why your brain loves the pen. Handwriters outperform typists in learning Researchers from Princeton University and UCLA wanted to find out whether handwriting or typing notes helps students learn better. Their findings were surprisingly clear: students who took notes by hand and later reviewed them scored much better on tests, mainly when it came to understanding concepts, not just remembering facts. Even though typing is faster, it turns out that speed isn't everything. People who typed their notes were more likely to copy down everything word-for-word, almost like a transcript. This might seem helpful, but it actually hurts learning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The brain doesn't engage deeply when you're just copying; you're not really thinking about what you're writing. In contrast, students who wrote by hand had to rephrase ideas in their own words, which helped their brains process the information more deeply. This type of mental effort is called 'generative learning,' and it's one of the main reasons why handwritten notes were more effective. The results showed that even though people who typed had more words in their notes, the quality of those notes wasn't as good. In fact, those who reviewed their handwritten notes performed significantly better in both fact-based and conceptual questions. The study even found that too much word-for-word copying (verbatim overlap) actually predicted worse performance on tests. So, if your goal is to really understand and remember what you're learning—not just copy it—grabbing a pen and notebook might be your best tool. Slowing down to write by hand gives your brain the space it needs to think, absorb, and connect new ideas. The slower you write, the smarter you learn A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology has revealed that writing by hand activates your brain in ways typing simply doesn't. Researchers observed 36 students while they either typed or handwrote words from a game. The difference? Those who wrote by hand showed significantly more brain activity—especially in areas linked to movement, vision, memory, and sensory processing. This study, led by Audrey van der Meer and Ruud van der Weel at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, builds on earlier findings that typing notes often leads to mindless copying. 'It's very tempting to type down everything that the lecturer is saying,' van der Meer explains. 'But you don't process the incoming information.' Handwriting forces you to slow down, think, and summarise—which helps you actually understand and remember the material. Brain scans showed that handwriting involved multiple brain systems working together. Typing, by contrast, barely lit up the same regions. Writing each letter by hand engages the motor cortex, the part of the brain that handles movement and coordination. Writing by hand: A creative tool and mirror to the mind There's a neurological edge in the slower rhythm of handwriting—one that invites deeper thought, reflection, and creativity. When you put pen to paper, your brain has more room to breathe. Unlike typing, which often rushes you from one thought to the next, handwriting encourages you to pause, process, and play with ideas. This deliberate pace doesn't just sharpen focus—it sparks innovation, making it easier to connect seemingly unrelated thoughts and arrive at more original solutions. For artists, writers, and creative thinkers, this act can feel almost meditative. Some of the world's most brilliant minds—like Leonardo da Vinci and Virginia Woolf—relied on handwriting not just as a tool, but as a creative companion. Psychologists also suggest that handwriting serves as a mirror to the inner self. It helps regulate emotions, encourages mindfulness, and strengthens your sense of self-awareness. In an age of constant digital distraction, choosing to write by hand might just be one of the most powerful ways to reconnect—with your ideas and with yourself. In short, handwriting isn't just nostalgic—it's neurologically smarter. For students, professionals, or anyone trying to really learn and retain information, putting pen to paper might be the simplest brain hack out there.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Writers' Building to national importance: Here is the story of West Bengal's first engineering college
Image credit: Official website of IIEST Shibpur Not all legends wear capes; some rise from the foundations of bricks and blueprints. In 1856, as the British Raj laid tracks across Indian soil, a humble Civil Engineering College found its beginnings inside Kolkata's iconic Writers' Building. Its mission? To churn out engineers for the colonial Public Works Department. But what began as a colonial necessity soon ignited a spark that would fuel one of India's greatest centres of technical brilliance, IIEST Shibpur. A nomadic start, a permanent identity After a brief stint under Presidency College, the institution uprooted itself in 1880 and made a defining move to Shibpur, settling near the banks of the Hooghly River. With this shift came a new identity, the Government College, Howrah. It soon expanded into Mechanical Engineering and embraced a fully residential model by 1889, a rarity in those days. The campus didn't just provide accommodation; it cultivated a culture. The rise of BE College : A vision beyond borders In 1921, the institute became Bengal Engineering College (BE College), marking its foray into a broader engineering curriculum and national relevance. Post-Independence, as India embarked on its industrial dreams, the college launched postgraduate and doctoral programmes and even struck a pivotal collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, USA, an academic bridge few Indian institutions dared to build at the time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dores nos nervos e neuropatia? Esse truque está surpreendendo. A arte do herbalismo Undo It wasn't just keeping up; it was leading. BESU: A modern university with roots in antiquity As India's higher education evolved, so did BE College. In 1992, it was declared a Deemed University, later transforming into the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) in 2004. Inaugurated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2005, BESU introduced science programmes alongside engineering and positioned itself as a knowledge crucible where disciplines collided and coalesced. The tipping point: Becoming IIEST The decade-long pursuit of excellence culminated in 2014, when BESU was upgraded to the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India's first IIEST and an Institute of National Importance. The move, backed by the Government of India and mentored by IIT Kanpur, wasn't merely symbolic; it was strategic. With ₹592.2 crore in sanctioned funds and a clear vision to produce scientists for India's strategic sectors and academia, the institution entered a new league. A legacy burdened by glory and growing pains IIEST Shibpur today occupies a unique place in Indian academia. Despite a ranking slide, from 21 in NIRF 2020 to 49 in 2024, the institution continues to punch above its weight in terms of legacy, research output, and alumni influence. Yet, it grapples with an age-old constraint: Land. With 121 acres at its disposal, the campus craves another 100 to match its growing ambitions. In 2014, its founding director candidly confessed that the land space crunch is the biggest ordeal that they are encountering. Beyond the classroom: Quiet revolutions in research In the last decade, IIEST has emerged as a silent but potent force in niche research. From a ₹130 crore ten-storey hostel to the establishment of a cutting-edge Fundamental Research Lab on Homeopathy with support from the Ministry of AYUSH, the institute is no longer just preserving legacy; it's creating one for the future. An institution, not just an address IIEST Shibpur is more than a location on the educational map; it's an embodiment of India's tryst with modernity, resilience, and scientific nation-building. In an era where Ivy Leagues and IITs dominate headlines, this 169-year-old engineering titan continues to thrive, quietly, modestly, and purposefully. The tale of IIEST is not just the story of West Bengal's first engineering college. It's a chronicle of how colonial infrastructure turned into a national cornerstone, and how legacy, when paired with vision, can build more than just buildings. It builds a future. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
From eating to sleeping in space: Shubhanshu Shukla answers students from ISS
Space intrigues all, especially children. So when the students of different schools here got the opportunity to talk to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is onboard the International Space Station (ISS), they relished it. Shubhanshu Shukla also described the launch experience of the Axiom Mission 4 from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25. (ANI) What do astronauts eat? How does one sleep in space? What happens if someone falls sick there? How does the body adjust to space, and how much would it take to readjust on Earth? From his orbital post on the ISS, Shukla enthusiastically gave detailed answers to these questions posed by the students who had assembled at the City Montessori School here. The students also sought to know about the benefits of the space programme and what part of the space visit is most enjoyable. During the interaction, Shukla, the first Indian to reach the ISS, described the launch experience of the Axiom Mission 4 from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25 as "amazing" and "dynamic". About the question on sleeping arrangements while in space, he said, "It is fun actually because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to come and visit the station (ISS), you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling." "It is so easy to float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is to be found at the same place where you slept at night and to ensure that we tie our sleeping bags to ensure we don't float away to some other place," Shukla said. A student said that when asked what happens if someone falls ill in space, the astronaut replied that they carry they carry adequate medicines in case things go wrong. During the interaction, Group Captain Angad Pratap, who is part of India's maiden manned space mission Gaganyaan, was in Lucknow to create awareness among the youth about space programmes. The student interaction was part of ISRO's Vidyarthi Samvad Programme. Shukla, who is the first Indian to reach the ISS, is also one of the four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan. A student said that Shukla told them that astronauts hardly get any free time. "But they do watch things or play some sports," he said. "However, one thing that astronauts look forward to is to go out and gaze into space and take a good view of the Earth -- it is very beautiful," a student, who was part of the interaction, told PTI. Talking about the challenges of getting the body readjusted back on Earth, Shukla told his audience that the biggest challenge is the absence of gravity. "Space is a new situation for the body. So like today, I am feeling much better from what I was feeling on day one here," the astronaut said. "My body has now kind of adapted to microgravity, but when I return to Earth, my body would have to readapt to gravity. This is a challenge again, and this adaptation will be required on re-entering Earth. A lot of preparations and procedures are required because space is a very dynamic place," he added. Asked what astronauts eat, Shukla said that most of the food is pre-packaged, and adequate care is taken to ensure that they have enough nutrition. Food becomes one of the main sources of motivation or pleasure in space, he said. "Different food items are laid down and astronauts get to taste all of those and whatever they prefer is packed," said Shukla, who during his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told him that he had carried desserts like Gazar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Ka Halwa and Aam Ras with him to space. A student wanted to know his take on the effect that space has on mental health. At this, Shukla, while admitting challenges, added that modern technology has ensured that astronauts get to connect with family and friends. "It helps a lot," he said. Another student said, "He told us that he finds such interactions immensely rewarding because this shows us the future we have and the possibilities that exist, so that we can see what lies ahead of us, and this is what we have to aim at." Wing Commander Pratap told the students in Lucknow to stay motivated for the next couple of decades, which will witness immense possibilities unfolding for human spaceflight in India. He spoke of the exciting and challenging career in aerospace sciences. "It was all so exciting. Group Captain Shubhanshu explained the varied nuances, challenges, and excitement of space travel, while Wing Commander Pratap motivated us to devote ourselves to science," a student said. "Among other things, we could either become researchers or join the armed forces as an experimental test pilot for an exciting and challenging career." Among other things, Wing Commander Pratap highlighted the traits of Shukla, with positivity being the key one. Another student said that when asked about how one stays fit in space where microgravity comes in play, Shukla said, "On Earth, we always have loading on our body due to gravity and the muscles are always utilised while walking, sitting, or even standing." "But that is not the case in microgravity, as one suffers muscle loss. It is very important for astronauts to keep exercising," Shukla told the students and spoke of his exercise routine. "There is a bicycle that we exercise on. Interestingly, there is no seat on the cycle because in microgravity, you are floating. So you just lock on to the pedals, tie yourself to the belt and then you start exercising. "There is also an exercise machine in which you can do all forms of exercises," he told the students while also demonstrating how one moves in space.
