Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Pritisha Banerjee, a 26-year-old engineer from Titilagarh in Bolangir district, has emerged as one of the young minds behind a historic achievement for India’s private space industry. She was part of the team at Skyroot Aerospace that successfully launched Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 18.
The landmark mission marked a major milestone for India’s growing commercial space ecosystem, with Pritisha contributing as an Avionics Software Reliability Engineer.
Ensuring the Rocket’s ‘Brain’ Works Perfectly
According to reports, Pritisha played a crucial role in validating the Mission Computer Software, often described as the “brain” of the rocket.
Her work focused on ensuring the software functioned reliably throughout the mission, a critical responsibility for the successful operation of the launch vehicle.
At Skyroot Aerospace, she continues to work on the Mission Computer Executive Software, helping maintain the reliability and safety of future space missions.
Engineering Graduate from Odisha
An alumna of the Government College of Engineering, Kalahandi (GCEK), Bhawanipatna, Pritisha completed her B.Tech in 2021 with an impressive CGPA of 8.87.
Interestingly, before joining Skyroot Aerospace, she had never seen a real rocket.
One Question That Changed Everything
Pritisha’s journey into the space sector began during an internship at Jabhekar Automation in Pune in the final semester of her engineering studies.
During a meeting, the company’s CEO asked employees where they envisioned themselves in five years.
Pritisha confidently replied that she wanted to build a technology company focused on rockets and space debris collection.
The CEO advised her to list the skills she would need to achieve that dream.
She ended up writing down around 70 skills, an exercise she credits with giving her clarity about her career path and helping her realise the importance of Embedded Systems.
Building Expertise in Mission-Critical Systems
To strengthen her technical skills, Pritisha pursued a Master Certification Course in Process and Automation Control at CTTC, Bhubaneswar.
She later joined DRDO, Dehradun, where she worked as an Embedded Software Engineer on mission-critical defence systems for nearly two years before moving to Skyroot Aerospace.
A Dream Come True at Skyroot Aerospace
Joining Skyroot marked another memorable chapter in her career.
Pritisha recalled seeing an actual rocket for the first time on her first day at the company, calling the experience unforgettable.
She also credited the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers, retired ISRO scientists, and former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath for boosting her confidence and inspiring her to contribute to India’s rapidly growing private space sector.
She described the successful Vikram-1 launch on July 18 as an unforgettable moment for the entire team.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pritisha’s achievement has drawn praise from her alma mater.
Associate Professor Priya S. of GCEK said her discipline and dedication have made the institution proud and shattered the misconception that students from small towns cannot excel in the country’s space industry.
Coming from Titilagarh, Pritisha now encourages young people to pursue their ambitions with “dedication, vision and discipline.”
Her family also reflects a strong commitment to education. Her mother is a teacher at a school for children with disabilities, while her younger sister is pursuing a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering at BPUT, Rourkela.
Pritisha Banerjee’s journey from a small town in Odisha to contributing to India’s first private orbital rocket serves as an inspiring example of how determination, continuous learning, and a clear vision can help young engineers reach the frontiers of space technology.
