Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh — August 23, 2026: In one of the most significant space diplomacy events India has hosted in recent memory, Phase 2 of Mission ShakthiSAT was officially launched today at Gautam Buddha University (GBU), fittingly coinciding with National Space Day. The scale of the occasion was unmistakable — delegates and ambassadors from over 100 nations gathered alongside close to 200 girl students from across the world, in a ceremony that placed India, and Uttar Pradesh, firmly at the center of the global conversation on space and peace.

The inaugural session was graced by Nand Gopal Gupta Singh, Minister of Industrial Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut and a source of inspiration to generations of young scientists; Mr. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor of Gautam Buddha University; and Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director of IN-SPACe. Their collective presence underscored the sheer scale and strategic significance of the occasion, which now formally introduces ShakthiSAT to the global stage.

Mission ShakthiSAT Phase 2 brings together more than 100 nations and close to 200 girl students from across the world, offering them direct, hands-on exposure to satellite technology and space science. The initiative is designed to place these young women at the forefront of the next generation of space innovators, reflecting a shared belief that meaningful progress in science must be inclusive at its very foundation.

Speaking at the event, a senior representative of the initiative reflected on the deeper purpose behind the programme: every citizen carries a collective responsibility toward the nation, and initiatives such as ShakthiSAT are a direct expression of that contribution. Calling the occasion a fitting tribute to National Space Day, the representative noted the significance of bringing together over 100 nations and nearly 200 girls — the future custodians of global science and technology — and giving them early, hands-on access to real space technology.

Perhaps the most resonant theme of the day was the choice of venue itself. Gautam Buddha University — named for the very embodiment of peace — was repeatedly invoked as nothing short of the perfect setting for this launch. Officials underlined that on National Space Day, of all days, and at this university, of all places, the timing and location could not have been more meaningful: a satellite mission built for global unity, unveiled at what was described as the epicenter of peace itself. It was framed not as coincidence but as convergence — technology and tranquility, space and serenity, meeting exactly where they belong. Few locations in the world could carry that symbolism as naturally as Gautam Buddha University did today.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the ceremony, delegates and ambassadors from across the world were treated to a vibrant cultural showcase that introduced them to the depth and diversity of India’s artistic heritage. The performance featured a graceful fusion of Bharatanatyam and Kathak, a spirited Haryanvi harvest dance capturing the rhythms of rural festivity, and a striking Rajasthani pot dance, in which performers balanced pots on their heads with remarkable poise — a true testament to the discipline, grace, and centuries-old tradition embedded in India’s folk arts. Of all the presentations of the day, it was this cultural performance that drew the loudest and most sustained applause from the gathered international audience, offering delegates a memorable window into India’s living heritage alongside its scientific ambitions.

Adding further weight to the occasion, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, sent a special video message congratulating the organizers, students, and partner nations on the launch of Phase

Speaking in Hindi, the Chief Minister lauded the initiative as a proud reflection of Uttar Pradesh’s — and India’s — growing leadership in space science and youth-driven innovation, and extended his best wishes for the mission’s continued success.

With Phase 2 now formally underway, Mission ShakthiSAT reaffirms its commitment to building a truly global, girl-led generation of space scientists — launched fittingly from a university whose very foundation is built on the idea of peace.