As millions watched Vikram-1 take to the skies, marking a historic moment in India’s private space travel, very few knew that engineers were quietly working behind the scenes to make this launch possible.One of them was Prithvi Sanghani. Born into a farming family in Gujarat, she grew up far from launch pads and space labs. Today, she is among the engineers who helped develop the autopilot control system for Vikram-1, India’s first privately built orbital rocket, a journey that shows how determination, education and perseverance can take small-town students to the frontiers of space technology.
From a farming family to India’s growing space sector
Prithvi’s story began in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where he was brought up in a farming family.After completing his engineering degree in Rajkot, he chose to major in an area that few students pursue: missile technology. He earned a master’s degree in the subject from Pune, laying the foundation for a career in defense and aerospace.Her first major professional assignment was at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where she worked as a project engineer and contributed to India’s missile programs.For many engineers, this would have been a dream career. But Prithvi was eager to be part of India’s rapidly expanding private space ecosystem.
The engineer behind Vikram-1’s guidance system
He later joined Skyroot Aerospace, becoming part of the team working on Mission Aagaman.As Vikram-1’s autopilot system control system leader, Prithvi contributed to one of the rocket’s most critical functions, helping to ensure that it remained on its intended flight path during the mission.While rockets often grab the headlines, thousands of hours of engineering, testing and software development make each successful launch possible.Prithvi’s contribution is a reminder that behind every space mission are teams of engineers solving complex problems long before the countdown begins.
A lesson for students who dream of space careers
India’s space sector is changing rapidly, creating opportunities not only for government organizations but also for private aerospace companies working on cutting-edge technologies.Prithvi’s journey shows that students don’t need to come from metropolitan cities or privileged backgrounds to contribute to world-class engineering projects. What matters is building a solid foundation, seeking specialized knowledge, and being curious enough to keep learning.For every student fascinated by rockets, satellites or aerospace engineering, his story offers an inspiring message: your background does not determine your destiny.And for every girl wondering if space technology is a field she belongs in, Prithvi Sanghani has already proven that the answer is yes.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about Prithvi Sanghani’s academic and professional journey. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.