Seven postgraduate students have been awarded the 2026 New Zealand Space Scholarship and will intern at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, Space Minister Chris Penk announced today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Space Scholarship presents a career-defining opportunity for these talented young New Zealanders who are set to spend three months at JPL working alongside scientists and engineers on real-world missions,\u201d Mr Penk says. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of their work, they will be contributing to cutting-edge space technology projects and gain experience right at the forefront of global space innovation.\u201d <\/p>\n
The students, Alexander Wiseman, Angela Xue, Laura Doyle and Zhen Hong Chai (Victoria University of Wellington), Laura Franssen (Auckland University of Technology), and Kyja McCabe and Thomas Phillips (University of Auckland), received their scholarships at a ceremony today. <\/p>\n
The 2026 cohort\u2019s studies span physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, microbiology and aerospace engineering. They will work across a range of projects including astrovirology, analysing gas reactions under vacuum ultraviolet (UV) light, developing power electronics systems, and end-to-end telemetry analysis. <\/p>\n
Mr Penk says it is an exciting time for the space industry, both locally and overseas. In recent years, New Zealand\u2019s space sector has grown rapidly, with revenue increasing an estimated 53 percent in the five years to 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat growth is delivering real economic benefit and cementing New Zealand\u2019s position as a credible, active global player.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding and sustaining a highly skilled, future-ready space workforce is a key priority of New Zealand\u2019s Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy \u2013 the Space Scholarship gives postgraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable international experience before bringing that expertise home,\u201d Mr Penk says.<\/p>\n
More information about the 2026 recipients and their projects is available on the MBIE website: https:\/\/www.mbie.govt.nz\/science-and-technology\/space\/careers-scholarships-and-awards\/new-zealand-space-scholarship<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Seven postgraduate students have been awarded the 2026 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