Chhattisgarh Class 11 student, Ritika Dhruw selected for NASA research project

Hailing from the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, Ritika gave a presentation on the topic - Vacuum in space then, how NASA found sound from a black hole. Her presentation impressed the scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SDSC Andhra Pradesh.

A Class 11 student of Chhattisgarh school, Ritika Dhruw has been selected to take part in a research project conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The 16-year-old girl was selected for NASA’s Asteroid Search Campaign.

Presentation on Vacuum in space then, how NASA found sound from a black hole

Hailing from the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, Ritika gave a presentation on the topic - Vacuum in space then, how NASA found sound from a black hole. Her presentation impressed the scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SDSC Andhra Pradesh. Through this presentation, she earned her ticket to join NASA for the special research project.

NASA has selected six students for this research project. Along with Ritika, Vora Vignesh and Vempati Sriyar of Andhra Pradesh, Olvia John of Kerala, K. Praneeta and Shreyas Singh from Maharashtra will be working under NASA’s special research project.

The Asteroid Search Campaign organised by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration in partnership with NASA's Citizen Science Project. From October 1 to 6, Ritika will be going to SDSC Andhra Pradesh where she will learn about the gravitational force "R136a1", the collision of stars, black holes and more.

Asteroid hunting camp in November

After a weeklong training, she would then head to ISRO for an asteroid hunting camp in the month of November 2022. Ritika is currently in pursuing her studies from Swami Atmanand Government English School, SAGES Nayapara in Chhattisgarh. She is currently a Class 11th Student.

Ami Rufus, her principal, while speaking to TOI stated that she has always had a keen interest in space and is consistent when it comes to her studies. However, her presentation at Bilaspur to scientists proved to be a turning point in her journey.

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