Jasleen Kaur Josan is the first Indian Sikh woman to be selected by NASA to go to Mars. The sole Indian astronomer to take part in NASA's Mars Mission 2030, Jasleen Josan, describes it as the start of a new life. She was born in Kurukshetra, Haryana, India, and traveled to many parts of the sub-continent for her schooling. She is working as a research scientist and main investigator of the Mars Mission-2030 of NASA. She is also one of the five youngest astronomers chosen by NASA for the Mars mission.
During her interactions with the students of Ashram Public School, Ms. Jasleen shed some light on NASA's 2030 Mars mission. According to Jasleen, "Making it to Mars" may seem and sound simple, but carrying out the duties actually requires experiencing many obstacles and difficulties, including both, both visible and invisible concerns.
Jasleen Josan is the only Indian on NASA's Mars Mission-2030. To motivate the students and ignite their enthusiasm for space science among them, Ms. Jasleen said, “I also belong to a small village Ekta Vihar, Kurukshetra in Haryana which is the birthplace of India’s first woman astronomer, Kalpana Chawla who created history by becoming the first Indian woman to travel to space in 1997.” The life of Kalpana Chawla inspires her and she is trying to follow her example. She has dedicated her life to space science entirely.
Speaking of her academic career and journey to NASA, Ms. Jasleen said, “During my academic career, I got the opportunity to join the Space training program at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Even after successfully completing the training, I had to go through multiple examinations including both physical and intellectual tests to make my way to NASA’s Mars Mission. As thousands of competitors from all over the world were there to get a break for Mars Mission, NASA had made the selection process to a world-class level”.
One must pass physical tests like skydiving and scuba diving in addition to the space-related ones to be chosen. However, your life will quickly change if you receive a letter of selection for a trip to space, and you will feel the inception of a new life.
Jasleen has demonstrated that you can become what you believe. She represents not only the Sikh population but also women all over the globe. She has blazed the trail for all the girls looking up to her to emulate and chase their dreams.