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In a historic leap for South Asia’s space ambitions, Sara Karim has been officially selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for Titans Space Industries, positioning her to become the first Bangladeshi national to carry the red and green flag into Earth’s orbit, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh’s representation in the global space sector. Karim, a researcher and student of Space System Engineering at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU), was selected for the Class of 2026–2030. Her selection is not merely a symbolic victory but a testament to the growing technical prowess of the nation's next generation of scientists.
A Historic Mission Profile-According to the official mission roadmap released by Titans Space Industries, Karim will commence her rigorous astronaut training next year. The training is a precursor to a planned orbital mission tentatively scheduled for 2029 or 2030. She is slated to launch aboard the Titans Genesis spacecraft, which will ascend to an altitude of 300 kilometers above Earth.
The mission carries significant prestige due to its leadership. Karim will train and fly under the command of Colonel William "Bill" McArthur, a veteran NASA astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station. McArthur, who now serves as Chief Astronaut for Titans Space, brings decades of flight experience to the commercial program, ensuring that candidates like Karim receive world-class preparation for the physical and mental demands of spaceflight.
The Candidate: Engineering the Future-While the public announcement highlighted her childhood dreams, Karim’s background reveals a candidate deeply entrenched in the hard sciences required for space travel. Unlike space tourists who purchase seats, Karim enters the program as a skilled researcher. Her academic work includes studies on fault-tolerant space weather prediction using machine learning and the mechanics of autonomous rocket landings. This technical foundation suggests she will be an active participant in mission operations rather than a passive passenger.
In an emotional statement following her selection, Karim credited her father and the inspiration she drew from watching astronaut Sunita Williams return from space when Karim was just nine years old. "A dream far bigger than anything a little girl could ever imagine... is finally becoming real," Karim stated, acknowledging the support of Neal S. Lachman, the CEO of Titans Space Industries, who entrusted her with the honor of representing her country.
A New Era for Bangladesh-The selection of a Bangladeshi citizen for an orbital mission signals a shift in the country's narrative from solely a consumer of satellite data to a participant in human spaceflight. Following the successful launch of the Bangabandhu-1 satellite, Karim’s journey represents the next logical step in the nation's aerospace evolution.
"This moment is not mine alone," Karim wrote in her acceptance message. "It belongs to every Bangladeshi girl dreaming quietly... and every mother who carries an entire universe on her shoulders."
As the prospective mission date approaches, all eyes will be on Karim’s training progress. If successful, her journey to the stars will etch her name in history alongside the few global pioneers who have looked down at Earth from the blackness of space, finally placing Bangladesh among the elite community of spacefaring nations.
