Neharika Gambhir has made history as the first Fijian analog astronaut in the United States, a distinction she approaches with both pride and humility. The 26-year-old, who attended St Anne’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Secondary School, garnered widespread acclaim after sharing her achievement on social media, receiving an outpouring of congratulations from Fijians worldwide.
Prominent figures including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya have commended Gambhir for her success. Reflecting on her journey, Neharika noted that her dreams of exploring space began at the tender age of five while living with her grandparents in Suva. This early passion was nurtured through gifts like binoculars and books about spacecraft, which fueled her ambition.
In pursuit of her dreams, she moved to the United States in 2019, where her adoptive family provided a nurturing environment. Currently, she is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, aiming to graduate next year. Neharika describes her role as an analog astronaut, which involves participating in simulations that mimic the challenges of space living, such as those aboard the International Space Station.
As a cybersecurity engineer, Neharika navigated through an intense six-month boot camp to obtain professional certification. She is also training to become a pilot, which will help her acclimate to the physical demands of space travel. With immense pride, she represents Fiji on this renowned platform, hoping to inspire future generations of Pacific Islanders to engage in STEM fields.
While Neharika celebrates her accomplishments, she is cognizant of the barriers women face in aviation and space exploration, highlighting that only 4-6% of pilots worldwide are women and only a small number of women have traveled to space. Drawing inspiration from strong women in her family, such as her grandmother and great-grandmother, she continues to confront these challenges with resilience.
Neharika emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical and mental health during her missions, which can be daunting due to factors like isolation and nutrition that parallel those experienced by astronauts in space. To stay organized and focused on her goals, she employs task management tools and breaks her objectives into manageable steps.
Her encouraging message to young women aspiring to make their mark is to remain passionate about their dreams and not let obstacles deter them. Looking ahead, Neharika plans to complete her PhD in Computational Neurology and engage in research related to vascular malformations in astronauts, particularly women. Additionally, she aims to finish her astronaut training and secure a commercial spaceflight.
Embracing her Fijian heritage, Neharika proudly wears the Fiji flag on her uniform, which symbolizes her values of community, resilience, and environmental respect. Despite having not returned to Fiji since her move, she hopes to celebrate her achievements with a vacation in her homeland after fulfilling her five-year goals.
Neharika Gambhir’s journey not only showcases her remarkable determination and resilience but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for those who dare to dream big and strive for excellence. Her story exemplifies that with passion and perseverance, the seemingly impossible can become possible.
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