April 22, 2025
THIMPHU – Pema Tsho Sakhu, a 13-year-old Bhutanese student living in Perth, Australia, is already reaching for the stars, literally.
She is part of the BinarX programme at Curtin University, where she is helping develop a scientific payload that will soon be launched into Earth’s orbit aboard a CubeSat, a miniature satellite, typically shaped like a cube, measuring 10cm on all sides.
A student at Balcatta Senior High School, she is one of the youngest participants in the programme.
She works alongside university researchers, engineers, and educators to design and build the payload, which is slated for launch by the end of this year. The satellite is expected to orbit the Earth while transmitting valuable data for analysis.
“Once it is launched into the earth’s orbit, we will be tracking and downloading the data captured by the CubeSat,” Pema Tsho Sakhu said.
Through the satellite, they plan on studying the Earth and space environment, and test samples for micro-gravity.
“The moment the satellite launches will be absolutely fascinating,” she said. “To see our year-long work orbiting Earth, it feels just like a dream.”
Her fascination with space began early. Last year, she witnessed the launches of Binar-2, Binar-3, and Binar-4 satellites, a moment she described as “breathtaking”.
The BinarX programme is led by planetary scientist Professor Phil Bland and coordinated by Meg Berry.
Professor Phil Bland said that Pema has worked closely with her BinarX payload development team at her school, successfully reaching key milestones, including Mission Concept Review and Preliminary Design Review.
“Her passion extends beyond her team’s project work,” he said. “She and her family joined us at midnight to witness our Binar-2, 3, and 4 satellites’ launch attempt on a SpaceX rocket last August, which due to last minute was postponed to next day.”
She later returned to help issue the command to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to deploy the satellites from the International Space Station.
The young prodigy also received a full scholarship from the Fogarty Foundation in partnership with Curtin University to develop and launch her own model rocket. The project involved electronic design, software programming, and physical construction before the successful launch.
Fogarty Foundation is a social venture, advancing change through education by providing opportunities for individuals to reach their potential.
“She is an enthusiast for spacecraft research and development. It is simply a joy to see and share our excitement, and real-life ups and downs of spacecraft science, engineering and operations, and to feel that we have made some contribution in enabling her to explore this area,” Professor Phil Bland said.
The programme co-ordinator, Meg Berry, said that Pema tackles complex technical challenges with a can-do attitude, demonstrating remarkable aptitude despite her young age.
“During her team’s critical design review milestone meeting, she answered questions about the functions of components they selected for their payload, including an infrared thermopile and operational amplifier,” Meg Berry said.
Pema moved to Perth with her family on June 6, 2022, while her mother pursued a master’s degree.
Adjusting to a new life in a foreign country came with challenges, but she said her learning journey has been guided by blessings from kencho-sum , His Majesty The King’s vision for youth empowerment, and her parents’ sacrifices.
“Despite all the hardships, my learning journey has been progressing well,” she said.
Her father, Suraj Pradhan, said watching his daughter work alongside distinguished scientists, engineers, and even ex-NASA professionals has been a dream come true.
“She is not just reading about satellites and rockets in textbooks, but actually designing one,” he said. “Watching her model rocket launch into the sky, with a roar and a trail of smoke, was a moment we will never forget. For a few seconds, time stood still.
“When people ask what Pema is doing. We say she is reaching for the stars.”