Derby and District Astronomical Society



Madhunika Srivatsan
From Engines to Orbit: A Journey Through Aerospace, Space, and Community



Madhunika Srivatsan describes her journey from DDAS Committee member and Rolls Royce engineer in Derby to playing a key role in the Indian space industry. Madhunika's journey into space engineering has been shaped by experiences across the aerospace industry, space startups, and community outreach-each contributing a unique perspective on how complex systems are designed, tested, and trusted.

Her professional career began in Derby, where she worked on large-scale aerospace programs supporting the development and testing of commercial aircraft engines. In this role, she was involved in hardware testing, root-cause analysis, and airworthiness-driven documentation, gaining firsthand experience with rigorous engineering processes and the importance of reliability in safety-critical systems.

Alongside her engineering work in the UK, Madhunika was an active ordinary committee member of the Derby District Astronomy Society. Through outreach programs, public observing sessions, and lectures on astronomy, she enjoyed sharing the night sky with diverse audiences. These experiences strengthened her ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in an engaging and accessible way, while reinforcing the sense of curiosity that underpins space exploration.

Building on this foundation, she later transitioned into the space sector, working at an Indian space startup developing a satellite for an Earth-observation mission. Her work focused on spacecraft systems engineering-defining system requirements, supporting environmental qualification tests such as vibration and thermal testing, and analysing test data to ensure integration readiness. She worked closely with mechanical, payload, and integration teams, contributing directly to the journey from design to flight-ready hardware.

Together, these experiences-from aerospace engines to satellites, and from engineering labs to public outreach-have shaped Madhunika's systems-driven approach to engineering. Her journey reflects a balance of technical rigour, adaptability, and curiosity, all aimed at turning complex ideas into real missions that push the boundaries of exploration.


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