Students shoot for the stars in space industry work experience program

Students Jasreen Kaur and Georgia Dallimore took part in last year’s Space Industry Work Experience Program and are pictured here at the Australian Space Agency at Lot Fourteen.

South Australian high school students have an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the space sector’s major players.

The 2nd Space Industry Work Experience Program 2020/21 will see students work alongside mentors from a range of space companies including Myriota, Inovor Technologies and Neumann Space all based on Lot Fourteen.

This unique program will give students a valuable insight into the space industry, networking opportunities and an understanding of the skills and qualifications required to pursue a career in South Australia’s thriving space sector.

Participating in the program could also inspire young people to pursue STEM careers.

The program – which will take place from the end of November this year until late January 2021 – is a collaboration between the South Australian Space Industry Centre and the Commonwealth funded Department for Education’s Advanced Technology Program.

First trialled last year, the program saw 27 students learn about satellite data, quantum mechanics, robotic capabilities, designing a Mars Rover and processing NASA images.

Students who participated in last year’s Space Industry Work Experience Program are pictured here with their hosts from Myriota, Inovor Technologies and Neumann Space and Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni.

Global leaders in secure, low-cost and low-power data connectivity, Myriota hosted students in a joint placement with Inovor Technologies and Neumann Space as part of last year’s program and are eager to be involved again.

Myriota’s Manager of Business Innovation and Support Brooke Lodge said the company’s involvement in the Space Industry Work Experience Program was aimed at inspiring the next generation of Australian space industry leaders.

“In return, our entire team benefited from the enthusiasm, excitement and passion that the students demonstrated,” said Ms Lodge.

“They have stayed in touch with us since their time in the program and it’s exciting to see their capabilities growing as they take the next steps towards navigating careers in the Australian space industry.”

Space is a high-value focus industry sector at Lot Fourteen with construction officially underway on the Australian Space Discovery Centre and state-of-the-art Mission Control Centre.

The Mission Control Centre will provide facilities for space businesses and researchers to control satellite and space missions, while the Australian Space Discovery Centre will showcase interactive space exhibits and a careers hub to the public, including students from schools and universities.

They are due to open to the public in the first half of 2021 and are funded through the Adelaide City Deal by the federal and state governments.

Both will be co-located with the Australian Space Agency and the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre.

The Australian Government has invested nearly $700 million into the Australian space sector as part of its goal to triple the sector’s size to $12 billion and create an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.