The National Indigenous Space Academy aims for the stars

The launch of the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) has inspired hope for the first Indigenous astronaut. 

Nyungar, Whadjuk and Ballardong man Professor Christopher Lawrence, the Associate Dean, Indigenous, Information Technology at Monash University, wants to see Indigenous Australians in space. But to get there, the astronauts of tomorrow need options. 

‘I wanted to create a pathway for these students who are studying STEM to give them those kind of career opportunities,’ he explained. 

Professor Lawrence said Indigenous Australians are the first students and teachers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM): ‘The first scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. They are also architects and medicine people.

‘They’ve been using STEM for over 65,000 years. Anybody who can pick up a piece of wood and throw it and make it come back have got to be innovators.’

Professor Lawrence has been working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL), the Australian Space Agency and Monash University to create the Academy.

He encourages Indigenous students who are studying STEM degrees to look up at the stars.

Justyce Manton, a Eora and Wiradjuri woman, is a particpant in CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (YIWSA). Justyce is in her second year of Mechanical Engineering (majoring in Aerospace) and working as a cadet at Fleet Space Technologies. She found her way to STEM in a roundabout way.

‘I actually wanted to be a ballet dancer,’ she admitted. However, science and maths called to her. ‘I’ve always been interested in space from a young age.’ 

Justyce attended the launch of NISA, describing it as ‘amazing, encouraging and motivating.’ She intends to apply to the program. 

Gullara McInnes, also a participant of the YIWSA and studying a dual Bachelor of Science – Bachelor of Laws, was inspired by the launch and the possibilities of the program, ‘They say the sky is the limit, but after the launch you realise… it’s limitless.’

The Academy will support five students to attend the NASA JPL in California for a ten week, full time summer internship. 

They will study aerodynamics, robotics, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, computer and earth sciences, as well as past and current space exploration missions.

Professor Lawrence ran the 2019 NISA Pilot Program. Looking to the future, he has many hopes for the program, in particular the main objective: ‘To find the first Indigenous astronaut and help get them into space.’

First Nations university students studying STEM graduate or postgraduate courses are encouraged to apply.