Ankitha Reddy

What’s the work that you do?

My work predominantly involves acquiring, disseminating, and analyzing IRS satellite data. For 14 months, I was part of a three-members team of the Antarctic Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites (AGEOS), established by the Indian Space Research organization. AGEOS is responsible for the smooth flow of data, communication operations of various IRS missions, and maintenance of Bharati Station’s SATCOM link for connectivity with the world. This Satcom station provides vital communication support to the Indian scientific community so they can pursue their research work at the Bharati research base throughout the year.

What keeps you going?

Initially, the prospect of Antarctic expedition pushed me to work harder and research further. I met wonderful people from various disciplines and passions as the journey began. I got the opportunity to explore the enchanting landscape of Antarctica. The continent is dangerously beautiful—a blessing in its serenity and a monster in its storms. The vast knowledge of the universe has always humbled me, and that is what keeps me going: Looking at the world through a satellite image allows us to learn so much about the Earth. I want to contribute to making space applications a part of day-to-day societal applications.

What’s your message to the world?

When in Antarctica, during the dark polar nights, I realized how we take for granted the rising and setting of the sun, the many little things in life and the planet giving us life. There are times when the expeditioners yearn for the sun, fresh vegetables, milk and other simple things. Watching the incredible auroras reminded me of the magnitude of danger behind such magnificence and the many ways Earth is protecting us. Let us not take for granted what the planet is providing us now. If Mother Earth gives up on us, there is nowhere else to go.