Indian Student in Dubai to Represent UAE in Satellite Mission

Aug 4, 2026

82 min

Aug 4, 2026 13:31

Meet Indian expat student in Dubai chosen to represent UAE in building and launching satellite

## Shafaq Mandha's Journey

Shafaq Mandha, a 23-year-old engineering graduate from Middlesex University Dubai, has been chosen to represent the UAE in the ORBITA-26 satellite mission. This international project, organized by Lab of Future and the Future of Education in Russia, involves designing, building, and launching a satellite.

## Educational Background

Born and raised in the UAE, Shafaq's educational journey began at Leaders Private School in Sharjah, followed by Westminster School Sharjah for her GCSEs. She completed her A-Levels at Cambridge International School Dubai and pursued a Bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Engineering at Middlesex University Dubai. She plans to start an MSc in Data Science and AI soon.

## Passion for Space Technology

Shafaq's interest in space technology was fueled by her participation in international competitions and leadership roles. Her experience in the Saudi Space Agency's DebriSolver Competition was pivotal in her selection for ORBITA-26.

## University Support

Professor Fehmida Hussain from Middlesex University Dubai expressed pride in Shafaq's achievements, highlighting the university's commitment to providing practical engineering experiences.

## Mission Details

The ORBITA-26 mission combines education, international collaboration, and scientific research. Shafaq's team, consisting of four other members, will work on various aspects of the satellite project, from design to testing.

## Future Aspirations

Shafaq hopes to inspire more young people, especially women, to pursue STEM careers. She emphasizes the importance of representation and believes in the potential of students to contribute to global scientific initiatives.

## Next Steps

The team is currently in the prototyping phase, preparing for the satellite's final launch in Moscow this October. Their training began in July 2026 at the Lab of Future's facilities in Dubai.

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