Nasa ready to accept Kiwi interns
New Zealanders who are shooting for the stars now have the opportunity to use Nasa’s launch pad.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has struck a deal with the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which will see tertiary students offered the chance to participate in Nasa’s International Internships Programme.
Candidates from just 12 other countries are considered for the programme.
University of Auckland students Lara Collier, 20, and Amelia Cordwell, 19 said they would both be applying.
Cordwell said the internship would be an exciting and incredible opportunity, with space industry poised to take off in this country.
‘‘We’ll see more space opportunities in New Zealand become more accessible.’’
The Nasa internship agreement is accompanied by a new scholarship from the New Zealand Space Agency, which sits within MBIE.
The scholarship would be available for up to four applicants to cover participation, airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Applications will be accepted from September 10 for Nasa’s June 2019 internship session.
Economic Development Minister David Parker said New Zealand was well positioned to become a ‘‘hub’’ for new space activities.
The interning could inspire someone to become an astronaut, or follow great Kiwi scientist Sir William Pickering, who led the effort to put the first US satellite in orbit, Parker said.
The agreement also strengthened this country’s connection with global space networks, he said.
US Ambassador Scott Brown said the Nasa partnership represented a leap forward in US-New Zealand co-operation.
‘‘When I speak to the [Trump] administration, and all of my former colleagues, I say: ‘the biggest opportunity is in New Zealand. Farming’s great, but it’s space’.’’
He hoped that when the Nasa interns returned home, they could return as astronauts.
‘‘They’d have the ability to go to a space station [in New Zealand] and do other incredible things.’’
The programme would give Americans and Kiwis the chance to foster innovation, develop modern solutions to modern challenges, and advance scientific breakthroughs, he said.
‘‘. . . it’s space [with the biggest opportunities].’’ Scott Brown, US Ambassador on New Zealand