From IIT Madras to Vikram-1: The young engineer behind mission-critical rocket software is now heading to the Netherlands. (Photo: X-Post)
Some students learn programming to build applications. Others dream of working at a tech giant. Spatika Prasad chose a different path – one that took her to the heart of India’s growing private space sector.Long before she packed her bags to study abroad, Spadica was writing software that helped launch rockets into space. Today, after contributing to Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission, she is preparing to pursue a master’s degree at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands, adding another exciting chapter to an already inspiring journey.
From classrooms at IIT Madras to historic space missions
As an Embedded Software Engineer at Skyroot Aerospace, Spatika developed software that played a key role in the Vikram-1 mission, India’s first private orbital rocket mission.While her contributions remain behind the scenes, they are crucial to ensuring the mission runs smoothly.According to the BS program at IIT Madras, her responsibilities include developing and testing flight sequence software, pre-launch ground inspection software, and on-board in-the-loop simulation systems that help verify rocket readiness before launch.When Vikram-1 successfully takes off, it’s not just another mission for her.“Seeing years of hard work culminate in a successful launch is one of the proudest moments of my career,” Spadica said.
How IIT Madras shaped her journey
Apart from her professional work, Spartika also pursued a bachelor’s degree program offered by IIT Madras, where she strengthened her understanding of programming, data science, and analytical thinking.Looking back on her learning experience, she believes the program improved her approach to solving complex engineering challenges.“A strong foundation in programming, data science, and analytical thinking … played a significant role in shaping my problem-solving abilities,” she said.Her journey highlights how interdisciplinary learning is becoming increasingly valuable in emerging fields such as aerospace, artificial intelligence and embedded systems.
Next destination: Netherlands
After contributing to one of India’s landmark private space missions, Spatika is now gearing up for another milestone.She has been accepted into the master’s program at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands and will continue her studies there from August.For students, each story carries an important message.Career paths are no longer limited to choosing between engineering, computer science, or data science. Breakthroughs increasingly occur at the intersection of disciplines. Programming, analytical, and systems thinking skills are now helping solve real-world problems—from healthcare to finance to space exploration.Spadika’s experience—from studying through the BS program at IIT Madras to contributing to mission-critical rocket software and now studying abroad—is a reminder that curiosity, persistence, and continuous learning can open doors of opportunities that once seemed unimaginable.Disclaimer: This article is based on information publicly shared by IIT Madras BS program and other public sources. It is for educational and informational purposes only.
