Diversity and inclusivity. These are the two main elements that are required to create an environment that is conducive to change and innovation, especially in the space industry. The inclusion of women in the arena of space science and technology has created monumental strides, and the world has benefited greatly as a result. Many women have manifested their dreams of reaching for the stars into a reality, but the journey hasn’t been an easy one.
In celebration of the achievements of women in space science and technology, World Space Week 2021 selected Women in Space as the theme for this year.
NiAT’s celebration of World Space Week culminated on Friday, 8 October 2021 with a Women in Space Webinar, hosted by Singapore Space & Technology Ltd and World Space Week Singapore. Representing NiAT, as well as Brunei Darussalam, was Aazzah Aziz, Deputy CEO. Joining her on the panel were Mani Thiru, APJ Space Industry Development Leader, Aerospace & Satellite Solutions, Amazon Web Services; Loh Sook Yee, Senior Manager, Asia Pacific Customer Success, Maxar Singapore; Dr Sandra Cauffman, Deputy Director, Earth Science Division, National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA); and Inbal Kreiss, Head of Innovation, Systems, Missiles and Space Division, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. Moderating the webinar was Lynette Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Space & Technology Ltd.
“As a woman, you have to be a bit more assertive, you have to be a bit better than the men,” said Dr Sandra, two-time recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, when she was asked what it takes to lead in the space industry. This is something that resonates with Aazzah, who has built and actively mentors a 100% Bruneian workforce at NiAT.
“It was a challenge in itself to only hire locals for the vision of growing local human capacity in any business with a population of 450,000,” lamented Aazzah. “It’s a lot harder for a satellite services company. I knew some aerospace graduates from universities abroad who are working in banks and media, and it has been difficult trying to attract them [into the space industry] because of the uncertainties and if the market is large enough to provide career progression and job security.”
One of the things that was also brought up was the importance of pop culture in creating interest of space. Mani highlighted the significance of the creative arts, such as art, movies, and books, in developing interest in exploring the cosmos, and talked about how movie makers have helped us visualise space in a creative way.
Many other topics were also discussed during the 90-minute webinar, ranging from challenges in the space industry to how COVID-19 has affected the way people embrace new technologies.
Aazzah concluded with: “Be curious. Be bold. Be fierce. Ask the questions. Connect with people. Review the status quo and improve it creatively. And lastly, speak up and communicate your passions, your questions, your answers, your values, who you are, what makes you tick, what makes you succeed, and what motivates you. Let the world know there is only one you and you are about to rock this world!”
What is World Space Week?
World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10.
Where and how is World Space Week celebrated?
World Space Week consists of space education and outreach events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world in a common timeframe. These synchronized space events attract greater public and media attention. World Space Week 2017 achieved record scale: More than 4.000 events in 82 nations.
