As millions watched Vikram 1 take off into the sky, celebrating a milestone moment in India’s private space journey, few knew that engineers were quietly working behind the scenes to make the launch possible.Prithvi Sanghani is one of them. Born into a farming family in Gujarat, she grew up far from launch pads and space labs. Today, she is one of the engineers who helped develop the autopilot control system for Vikram-1, India’s first privately built orbital rocket, a journey that demonstrates how determination, education and perseverance can bring students from small towns to the forefront of space technology.
From a farming family to India’s growing aerospace sector
Prithvi’s story begins in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where she grew up in a farming family.After completing her engineering degree in Rajkot, she chose to specialize in a field that few students pursued – missile technology. She subsequently completed a master’s degree in the subject from Pune, paving the way for a career in the defense and aerospace sectors.Her first major professional assignment was with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where she contributed to India’s missile program as a project engineer.For many engineers, this would be a dream career. But Prithvi is eager to be part of India’s rapidly expanding private space ecosystem.
The engineers behind the Vikram-1 guidance system
She later joined Skyroot Aerospace and became a member of the Agaman mission team.As the control systems lead for the Vikram-1 autopilot system, Prithvi contributes to one of the rocket’s most critical functions, helping to ensure that it remains on its intended flight path during the mission.While rockets often grab the headlines, thousands of hours of engineering, testing and software development make every successful launch possible.Prithvi’s contribution is a reminder that behind every space mission there are teams of engineers solving complex problems before the countdown begins.
A lesson for students dreaming of careers in space
The aerospace sector in India is changing rapidly, creating opportunities not only for government organizations but also for private aerospace companies working on cutting-edge technologies.Prithvi’s experience shows that students don’t need to be from a metropolitan city or have a privileged background to contribute to world-class engineering programs. It is important to build a strong foundation, pursue expertise and remain curious enough to continue learning.For every student fascinated by rocket, satellite or aerospace engineering, each story offers an inspiring message: Your background does not determine your destination.For every young girl wondering if space technology is her domain, Prithvi Sanghani has shown that the answer is yes.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about Prithvi Sanghani’s academic and professional history. It is for educational and informational purposes only.