Representatives from SmartSat participated in a panel to inspire the next generation of space leaders to pursue a career in the space sector at Brighton Secondary School earlier this month.
Brighton Secondary School ended term two by hosting their annual Thrive Week, providing senior school students the opportunity to explore various career pathways and make informed decisions about their future.
(L to R) SmartSat Research Software Engineer, Shivani Shah; PhD students Vinicius Guedes Goncalves de Oliveira and Franke Agenbag; and CEO and Founder of Robinson Aerospace Systems, Edward Robinson
As part of the week’s program, the school invited a selection of young professionals from Adelaide’s space sector to speak to the Year 11 cohort about the exciting career opportunities within the state’s thriving space industry.
SmartSat was well represented, with Research Software Engineer Shivani Shah joined by PhD students Franke Agenbag and Vinicius Guedes G. de Oliveira, alongside Edward Robinson from Robinson Aerospace Systems.
“It was a fantastic experience,” said Shivani.
“I had the opportunity to share my own journey, from software development into space research and data science, and talk about current projects I’m working on through the University of South Australia and SmartSat CRC, such as satellite-based bushfire monitoring, illegal marine activity detection, and satellite imagery mapping.”
The students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions of the panellists, not only about their career pathways, but about artificial intelligence in space, university pathways, and the real-world impact of satellite data.
“It was a rewarding experience to connect with the next generation of STEM talent, and I’m proud to support initiatives like this that strengthen our Adelaide space and education communities,” Shivani said.
Franke Agenbag is a Space Systems Engineer at Defence Science & Technology Group, completing her SmartSat PhD investigating on orbit mitigation of radiation effects through the University of South Australia.
Vinicius, meanwhile, is a lawyer specialising in space and International Law who has recently submitted his SmartSat-funded PhD thesis assessing the cybersecurity of Australia’s space infrastructure and its interaction with the current legal and policy international framework.
The panel discussed the dynamic nature of the Australian space industry, the critical role of adaptability, and the importance of resilience; particularly for women and young professionals breaking into the field.
“I shared my journey into the space industry, from its early beginnings to my current role as a Space Systems Engineer, highlighting what a typical day looks like and the challenges I’ve overcome along the way,” Franke said.
“Events like the Careers in Space panel are powerful reminders that the future of space is open to everyone; especially young people ready to innovate, shape new ideas, and help redefine what’s possible. The best part? These opportunities exist right here in Adelaide and across Australia.”
The students also heard about how fast paced the industry can be due to constant technological change, the growing impact of AI in areas such as satellite data and autonomous systems, and the wide range of careers now available in space, from engineering to law and communications; with diverse academic pathways to get there.
The main takeaway was that no matter what the students were passionate about – be it coding, design, science, physics, maths, or communication – there is a place for them to reach new heights in the space industry.