Today aged 18, she is involved in aerospace projects with other young women thanks to the Shakthi Sat initiative and she is eager to explore the intersection between computer engineering and science, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous robotics and integrated systems that control satellites, drones and rockets.
“I learn things that I once dreamed of, and we are going to launch our own satellite. How cool! ” She said UN News.
But, home prospects in Nepal, a poor nation with an emerging space industry are very limited.
“Our parents generally do not want us to continue” risky “careers,” she said.
“My interest is to make humans multiplanetary”
As a growing little girl in Hasselt, Belgium, Kaat Degros thought that becoming astronaut in the very competitive space field and dominated by men would never arrive.
Today, at 15, she has already designed her own sustainable research base on Mars, praised by the Oxford Academy of Excellence.
“My interest is to make humans multiplanetary,” she said.
Demystify space careers
A new partnership between the Space4Women project of the United Nations Office for External Space Affairs (Unoosa) And the Cosmic Girls Foundation brings together young women and girls like Ms. Maharjan and Mrs. Degros around the world to explore how they can shape the future of space and prosper in various roles, the space economy and the right to engineering, politics and innovation.
More than 30 girls participated in a Global Webinar At the end of July, on “Demystifying space careers: not only astronauts”, the first in a series of collaborations to unite Global Reach and Cosmic Girls of Unite.
Two women leaders, space economist at the European Bank for the Reconstruction and Development and Legal of Kenya Space Agency, have shared practical advice on how to enter the sector, regardless of history and questions about academic and professional paths, networking, access to resources and the treatment of rejection.
Astronauts from NASA Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Naoko Yamazaki and Stephanie Wilson pose for a photo at the international space station.
Build a spatial ecosystem
The girls left with several messages: Be your own cheerleader, look for mentors and allies, stay disciplined but follow your passion and join the space communities.
“We are building an ecosystem that allows girls around the world of STEM skills, the training of astronauts and the state of mind to innovate for the future of humanity among the stars,” said Mindy Howard, founder and chief executive officer of the Cosmic Girls Foundation in the Netherlands and the United States.
The partnership will influence political decision-makers to adopt a new vision of the space sector where men and women are equal partners, said Anne-Claire Grossias, head of the UNOOSA program, Anne-Claire Grossias.
“It is a very high -focused project. Thanks to this connection, we can move forward towards gender equality, ”she explained.
Historical study: the always blind space sector
Despite progress in recent years, women are still considerably underrepresented in the field, especially in leadership roles. According to the Space4Women project, only 11% of astronauts were women and represent only 30% of the workforce in organizations in the public space. historical study on gender equality.
Ensure a significant role for women not only feeds productivity and profit; This leads to greater global collaboration, the construction of consensus and lasting peace, the study revealed.
The idea of the survey was designed at the meeting of experts from Space4Women 2023. The meeting of the United World Experts to prepare the first of the UN Gender temporary toolbox To help space organizations dismantle sexist prejudices and discriminatory practices and create environments where women can succeed alongside male colleagues in space sciences, technology, innovation and exploration.
Mindy Howard during parabolic flight training.
Promote female astronauts pipeline
Since its creation in 2017, the Space4Women project has worked with professionals in the space sector committed to mentor More than 270 girls from 68 countries.
Ms. Howard, mentor since 2020, brought together nearly 1,000 girls from 139 countries thanks to her education and networking forum of cosmic girls. With program partners in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania, the Cosmic Girls Foundation launched the first world competition to train six girls, one of each continent, with knowledge in rocket sciences, life skills and mental preparation to become astronauts. The Grand Prix for a will be a trip to space.
“Competition is such a dream come true,” said Degros. “It gave me the hope that I will succeed as an astronaut and astrophysicist.”
Strengthen confidence in a safe environment
Supporting girls from an early age in a welcoming and stimulating environment is crucial to help them gradually test waters and bring female features and collaborative approaches that are very necessary for solving problem, said Ms. Howard.
“Girls are often informed by their parents that they are not good enough, not intelligent enough. It is a safe environment for them to allow their skills, which will help them later, ”she said.
They already feel confident.
“It looks like something extraordinary – a real step towards a future that I once thought out of reach,” said Ms. Maharjan.
“I think there will be equality in space exploration in steps so long,” added Ms. Degros.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
