3-25-2026
From exploring caves in Texas to conducting research at a national laboratory, Siddhi Raut’s journey into space science began in her hometown of San Antonio as a middle school student. As part of the first cohort of the WEX Foundation’s Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites (LCATS) program—which receives substantial backing from Port San Antonio’s Kelly Heritage Foundation—Siddhi engaged in hands-on activities ranging from high-altitude weather balloon launches to testing model rovers in underground caves. Now a second-year physics and astrophysics student at the University of Chicago, she has already contributed to the Mu2e experiment at Argonne National Laboratory’s High Energy Physics Division and works as an intern for the PBS digital series “Be Smart,” helping translate complex science into accessible content.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Siddhi launched “SpaceTourist” as a high school student—a youth-led initiative that grew into a hub of global webinars, workshops, and a podcast featuring leading voices in space science, including renowned Harvard cosmologist Dr. Avi Loeb. Her leadership earned her induction into the San Antonio Aviation & Aerospace Hall of Fame in 2024. Reflecting on her path, Siddhi credits LCATS mentors—including renowned space architect Sam Ximenes—with giving her the confidence to see herself as a future leader in space exploration. “We’re trying to write what human history actually is and where we are going next,” she says. Her story illustrates how early exposure to real-world STEM environments can accelerate extraordinary potential.