A Dubai-based Indian student has been selected for ORBITA-26 and will represent the UAE in an international satellite mission, gaining hands-on experience in space technology.
An Indian student who was born and raised in the UAE has been selected to represent the country at an international satellite mission, giving her the opportunity to help design, build and launch a real satellite.
Shafaq Mandha, 23, a Computer Systems Engineering graduate from Middlesex University Dubai, has been selected for ORBITA-26, an international satellite programme. Following specialist training in Dubai, she is due to travel to Moscow for the programme’s finals in October.
The opportunity brings together her interests in engineering, artificial intelligence and space technology, while giving her practical experience that goes well beyond university studies.
A Dream Opportunity for a Young Space Enthusiast
For many students interested in science and engineering, the chance to work on an actual satellite can feel like a distant ambition. For Mandha, that opportunity has now become part of her academic and professional journey.
Her interest in space technology developed through university activities, student leadership and international competitions. She previously participated in a space-related competition in Riyadh, where her team worked on the challenge of space debris. The experience strengthened her interest in combining technology, innovation and space research.
ORBITA-26 now gives her the chance to take that interest further through practical work on a satellite project.
A New Chapter for UAE’s Young Space Talent
Mandha’s selection comes as the UAE continues to create opportunities for young people interested in space science, technology and innovation.
For students, programmes that combine education with practical space projects can provide an introduction to areas such as satellite engineering, systems integration and advanced technology.
The experience can also help students understand how subjects studied at university can be applied to real-world challenges, while opening the door to potential careers in aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics and other technology-driven fields.
From University Lessons to Satellite Building
The ORBITA-26 programme gives participants an experience that goes well beyond a conventional academic project.
Mandha and her team have completed their research and mission-planning phase and are now moving towards CubeSat prototyping, payload and electronic-system integration and testing of communication, power and sensor systems. These stages will be followed by environmental testing and final preparations for launch.
The work gives the students an opportunity to see how different parts of a satellite come together and how technical systems are tested before a mission can move forward.
It also requires teamwork, organisation and problem-solving, allowing participants to develop skills that cannot always be gained through classroom learning alone.
A Proud Achievement for Dubai’s Indian Community
Mandha’s achievement is also significant for Dubai’s Indian community. Her family comes from Gujarat, while she was born and raised in the UAE.
Her education has taken place across schools in Sharjah and Dubai before she completed her Computer Systems Engineering degree at Middlesex University Dubai. She is also planning to begin an MSc in Data Science and AI at the university in September.
Her journey reflects the diverse educational environment in the UAE and the opportunities available to young people from different backgrounds who want to pursue science and technology.
A Story That Could Inspire More Young Minds
Mandha hopes her experience will encourage more young people, particularly women and girls, to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Her journey shows how interests developed during education can lead to opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. Student competitions, leadership roles and practical projects can all help young people discover where their interests may eventually take them.
For students who are curious about space but may see the industry as difficult to enter, her experience offers an encouraging example of how education, mentorship and persistence can create new possibilities.
The Skills Behind a Satellite Mission
The project is also giving Mandha and her teammates the opportunity to develop a broad range of technical and professional skills.
The five-member team includes students taking on different responsibilities, including team leadership, design engineering, electrical engineering, radio engineering, and research and theoretical analysis. They are supported by experienced mentors throughout the programme.
Working together on a complex project means the students must combine different areas of knowledge while communicating effectively and solving problems as a team.
Such experience can provide a useful foundation for future careers in space technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, data science and related fields.
What Comes Next for the UAE Team
Training for ORBITA-26 began in July 2026 at a space science and technology research facility in Dubai. The UAE team is now progressing through the satellite development stages before travelling to Moscow for the October finals.
The team also has a strong result to build on, with the UAE team finishing second globally during the programme’s first season. That achievement sets an ambitious benchmark as Mandha and her teammates prepare for this year’s competition.
For the Dubai-based student, the months ahead will bring the opportunity to turn research and planning into practical satellite development.
Her selection is more than an individual academic achievement. It highlights the opportunities available to students in the UAE to take part in international scientific projects and gain first-hand experience with advanced technology.
For aspiring engineers and space enthusiasts across the Emirates, the story offers an encouraging reminder that curiosity, education and perseverance can open doors to opportunities far beyond what begins in a classroom.