SriLankan Airlines empowers talented Sri Lankan student in ShakthiSAT Mission project

For ShakthiSAT Mission participation Travel to India sponsorship presented by SriLankan Airlines Corporate Communications Manager Deepal Perera (right) to ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka Dr. Sulochana Segera (left) and Mission ShakthiSAT Sri Lanka’s Official Student Representative Sameera Goonawardena -Pix by Ruwan Walpola 

By Kavinu Cooray

SriLankan Airlines is making Mission ShakthiSAT possible for Sri Lanka’s Official Student Representative, Seneesa Goonewardena, and ShakthiSAT (Devi) Ambassador for Sri Lanka Dr. Sulochana Segera, by sponsoring their travel to India to participate in the groundbreaking project that will bring together young girls from 108 countries to design and build a satellite for the first time collaboratively. 

Seneesa Goonewardena was selected following a highly competitive national selection process that engaged more than 200 Sri Lankan schoolgirls in specialised STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programs designed to introduce them to space technology. The students were taught 21 modules covering the fundamentals of CubSATs, their programming, mathematics, and operations, together with practical exercises. The program was launched in Sri Lanka by Space Kidz India Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Srimathy Kesan, who is recognised internationally for leading one of the world’s largest educational satellite and rocket programs. 

Mission ShakthiSAT marks the world’s first global all-girls lunar satellite mission. It will bring together 12,000 girls from around the world to collaborate in the design and engineering of a 12U lunar satellite. As part of the program, three payload engineering models will be designed and integrated. The international payload development effort will involve partners from several countries, including the University of South Alabama and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States, Shamal Space in Brazil, SMW Engineering in Lesotho, the Egyptian Space Agency in Egypt and a university in Australia. In this multinational endeavour, Mission ShakthiSAT aims to foster the unity of nations through education, engineering, peace, and scientific collaboration, while inspiring the next generation of women leaders in aerospace and emerging technologies.

SriLankan Airlines Corporate Communications Manager Deepal Perera stated, “We are delighted to support Seneesa Goonewardena and Dr. Sulochana Segera on this remarkable journey and to contribute to Sri Lanka’s participation in Mission ShakthiSAT. We hope Seneesa’s achievement will inspire students across the island to believe that with determination and perseverance, they can achieve their goals. We encourage students to make the most of every opportunity to learn, explore their interests, and pursue their ambitions with purpose. As the national carrier, we are proud to support this pioneering mission and to see a young Sri Lankan take their place on an international platform in space exploration.”

The next phase of Mission ShakthiSAT will take place from 22 to 31 August 2026 at Gautam Buddha University in India, bringing together student delegates for advanced satellite integration, leadership development, cultural exchange and international STEM programs, ahead of the satellite’s targeted launch between September and October 2026.

Program schedule

• 22 August – Arrival of International Delegations
• 23 August – National Space Day Celebrations Program Orientation Formation of International Teams
• 24 August – Official Mission Inauguration International Diplomatic Meet and Greet CubeSAT Workshops Technical Presentations Interaction with Scientists and Engineers Cultural Evening
• 25 August – Yoga and Meditation Payload Sessions with International Contributors Cultural Program
• 26 August – Payload Design Workshops Lunar Mission Workshops Engineering Sessions
• 27 August – Engineering Model Integration Activities Industrial Visit (Proposed)
• 28 August – Global Women Leadership and Diplomacy Summit Engineering Model Reviews Technical Documentary Filming Graduation and Award Ceremony Proposed Official Dinner 
• 29 August – Student Assessment Space Meets Fashion – International Innovation Showcase
• 30 August – Cultural Tour and Sightseeing 
• 31 August – Departure of International Delegations

Expressing her excitement about the opportunity, Seneesa Goonewardena said, “It is an incredible honour and privilege to carry my country’s name on this international mission. At 18, this experience reminds me that there are no limits to what young girls can achieve when we dare to dream. I hope my journey will inspire more young Sri Lankan girls to look towards science, technology and space and believe that they too can reach for the stars.”

Dr. Sulochana Segera added, “I am so happy to bring this opportunity to Sri Lanka and open doors for our girls to dream beyond the skies. ShakthiSAT is not just an event or a mission; it is the beginning of a long-term journey. STEM education should not be an option for our country; it must be an essential part of our education. As the ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka, I feel immense pride knowing that on International Day of the Girl Child, our Sri Lankan flag will be placed on the Moon, following a small step I took just five months ago.”

Empowering young minds to pursue their dreams has long been at the heart of SriLankan Airlines’ corporate social responsibility efforts. Over the years, the airline has worked with numerous schools, including those in rural communities, to help create better learning opportunities for students. Through its participation in Mission ShakthiSAT, SriLankan Airlines continues its commitment to expanding educational opportunities for youth development in the aviation and aerospace sectors, while contributing to a pioneering global initiative that broadens access to STEM education and inspires the next generation, particularly girls, to explore possibilities beyond the boundaries they once thought possible.