August 30, 2023
2 mins read

Indian-American Scientist Aims to Skydive from Stratosphere, Break Four Records

The project will include educational programmes for schools to increase interest in science and technology among girls, especially from minority groups…reports Asian Lite News

An Indian-American scientist is hoping to become the first woman to skydive from the stratosphere at an altitude of 42.5 km above the Earth, and shatter four records.

Swati Varshney is one of the three candidates selected by the Hera Project of Rising United that seeks to empower women in science and technology, the organisation has announced.

If she makes it to the skydive in 2025, Hera Project expects her to break four current records: The free fall record by 1.1 km from the highest altitude, endure the longest free fall time, break the sound barrier unaided by 264 kph, and the highest crewed balloon flight by over 1 km.

“At Rising United, we’re embarking on a historic journey, shattering records and ceilings to advance women’s equality and inspire young women’s interest in STEAM education,” the organisation said.

Varshney has a PhD in materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has made over 1,200 jumps with a speciality in vertical freefall, according to Space.com.

Billed as the “First Female Mission to the Edge of Space”, the project seeks to have minority women smash the records, and the other two contenders are of Latino descent, Eliana Rodriquez and Diana Valerin Jimenez.

The project will include educational programmes for schools to increase interest in science and technology among girls, especially from minority groups.

Varshney told Space.com that for her skydiving “is a lot more similar to my scientific training than I ever thought it would have been in the first place. It was just another avenue for me to pursue this goal of lifelong learning”.

Varshney, who has spent a decade skydiving, told the media outlet: “My academic progression and my career trajectory has been really intertwined with skydiving as it went along. So I started skydiving.”

She tried tandem jumping and found it such a “blast”, that she took it up as a hobby.

“I really just wanted something that was totally different, and as a release to — this is a really cliche way to say it —  cut away right from what I was doing in my day-to-day life,” she told Space.com.

“It became this never-ending journey of another pursuit of knowledge that went alongside my academic career,” she added.

The stratosphere is from about 6 km to 50 km above the Earth where it gives way to the mesosphere.

ALSO READ-IAF rescues stranded mountaineers from Kashmir glacier

Previous Story

Drone Attack Hits Pskov Airport, Damaging Transport Aircraft

Next Story

Trump Considers Skipping Court Appearance in Georgia Election Case

Latest from -Top News

No Talks Till Terror Ends: India to Pakistan

The MEA’s strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India….reports

BNP ramps up poll demand

Chief Adviser Yunus had earlier promised elections in December 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back first to February 2026 and then to June 2026, fuelling suspicion and dissatisfaction among

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay

India clears stealth fighter project

New execution model paves way for private sector involvement in India’s ambitious stealth aircraft programme; Army showcases next-gen drone warfare systems. In a landmark decision bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath

ASEAN lauds India’s firm stance on terrorism

The ASEAN Secretary-General reaffirmed the bloc’s resolve to deepen collaboration with India—a comprehensive strategic partner—in security and counter-terrorism efforts. The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Assembly Elections: Exit Polls Banned From Nov 7 Till Nov 30

According to the poll body, the ban will remain in

Isolationist America Ahead: Jaishankar

EAM Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India’s relationship with the