For a remarkable display of passion and innovation, Pune’s 11-year-old Rohan Bhansali has been selected For NASA's Cubes In Space Program! Through this program, students aged 11 to 18 are granted the opportunity to design and test experiments utilizing small-sized satellites on NASA missions.

Speaking about his creation, Rohan shared insights into his compact 4 by 4 cm experiment, ingeniously equipped with sensors, a small computer, and an intricate coded program that renders the experiment completely automated. He is full of excitement as he awaits the outcome of his experiment.

The quest to understand the perils of human spaceflight has long captivated NASA's attention, particularly in relation to the profound impact of radiation on astronauts. Despite their protective shielding, astronauts receive a daily dosage of radiation equivalent to enduring eight chest X-rays. To mitigate this inherent danger, the selection of materials commonly employed in everyday life, such as silk, aluminum, and plastic, is now serving a dual purpose.

Rohan's ingenuity lies in recognizing that these seemingly mundane materials might hold the key to fortifying the astronauts' defense against the relentless assault of UV radiation during their space missions. By subjecting these materials to rigorous testing within the confines of his compact experiment, he aims to uncover substances that offer enhanced protection to the astronauts as they voyage into the unknown reaches of the cosmos.

Who knows, Rohan’s experiment might become the stepping stone that paves the way for bolder strides into the cosmos, expanding the horizons of human exploration like never before.