Jyoti KC was born and raised in a middle-class family in Dang, Nepal. From an early age, she was fascinated by the night sky, spending hours observing stars and the moon. This childhood curiosity eventually evolved into a lifelong dream of exploring space.

She completed her schooling at Moonlight Boarding School, where her father’s passion for books inspired her love for reading and learning. Active both academically and in extracurricular activities, KC played football and volleyball and consistently ranked among the top five students in her class.

After high school at Mani Mukunda College in Butwal, she pursued studies in architectural engineering and interior design. Her academic path took a new direction when she unexpectedly won the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery in 2017, moving to the United States in search of new opportunities.

Journey in the United States

Adjusting to life in the U.S. was challenging at first, but KC viewed every difficulty as a learning experience. She worked in a nursing home and a beauty salon before deciding to follow her dream of serving in the military. Inspired by veterans she met, she began preparing to join the U.S. Air Force just three months after arriving.

In 2019, after 14 months of rigorous preparation and training, she officially joined the Air Force. KC says she could have chosen more financially rewarding careers like IT or nursing but decided to pursue her childhood dream instead.

Space and Research Journey

While serving in the Air Force, KC learned about the Analogue Astronaut Mission — a simulated space mission designed to train potential astronauts. In May 2022, she joined the Lunares Research Station in Poland, becoming the first Nepali-American analogue astronaut.

At Lunares, KC served as the commander during a serious mission involving six international researchers. The experience helped her understand the technical and psychological demands of space missions and strengthened her belief that space travel would soon become accessible to ordinary people.

She currently volunteers as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, educating the public about space exploration and technology. KC hopes to continue collaborating with NASA in future programs.

Vision and Beliefs

KC believes that within the next 10 to 15 years, technological progress will make space travel possible for the general public. “It will be easy for people to reach space; all they have to do is pay,” she says.

However, her dream goes beyond being a space tourist. She aims to reach space as an aerospace engineer, medical officer, or commander, taking an active role in scientific missions.

Despite skepticism from others, KC remains determined. “My ultimate mission is to reach space, regardless of whatever others think,” she says with confidence.

Key Milestones

• Born and raised in Dang, Nepal
• Completed schooling at Moonlight Boarding School
• Studied architectural engineering and interior design
• Moved to the U.S. in 2017 after winning the Diversity Visa lottery
• Joined the U.S. Air Force in 2019 as a medical officer
• Became the first Nepali-American analogue astronaut in 2022
• Serves as NASA Solar System Ambassador