By Robert Bell
I first met Minoo Rathnasabapathy, pictured right, at the SGC Conference in Montreal in 2014. She was, at the time, the newly named the executive director of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).
In a time when the satellite industry is struggling to retain young talent, organizations such as SGAC are vital for fostering the next generation of talent for the industry. That is why, each year, SSPI provides funding for a number of students to attend the Space Generation Advisory Council Congress, which provides space policy recommendations to the United Nations and precedes each year's International Aeronautical Congress.
Robert Bell: What is the mission of the Space Generation Advisory Council?
Minoo Rathnasabapathy: The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) aims to represent students and young professionals in the international space community. Consisting of over 4000 members in over 110 countries, SGAC acts as a platform to enable and empower young professionals in breaking down barriers across career levels and borders to foster dialogue and help infuse new ideas into industry, agency and academia.
What are SGAC’s principal activities to carry out that mission?
SGAC is fulfilling its mission by enabling students and young professionals to attend international events where they can be exposed to the space community. In addition to this, SGAC organizes several events focusing on this by addressing pertinent issues facing the space industry. The delegates’ findings and preliminary recommendations are presented to SGAC’s parents, members and at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) where SGAC holds Permanent Observer status.
How does SGAC engage with SSPI? What does SSPI contribute to you and what does SGAC contribute to SSPI?
SGAC and SSPI support each other's common interests in promoting space activities and the space workforce through career development and education. SSPI and SGAC hosts the Annual "Satellite Futures" scholarships, open to students and young professionals within the field of satellite development who are tasked with writing a paper based on their contributions in the field of satellite systems development, space law, regulation or policy.
In addition, SGAC supports SSPI’s Better Satellite World Campaign by contributing stories submitted by SGAC members from both developed and emerging space nations about the influence of satellites systems on their daily lives.
From your vantage point working with students and young employees, what are the most promising developments you see in this sector?
One of the very interesting developments in the current satellite industry is the idea of bringing Internet to individuals and communities across the world through a constellation of satellites. Not only is it interesting to follow the rapid technological developments necessary, but it is also critical to address the challenges of mitigating the potential of creating orbital debris and potential Ku-band interference. And most importantly initiatives like these stress the importance of satellite technologies for our everyday life.
How does satellite make the world a better place, in your experience?
As one of the aims of SGAC is educational outreach, the importance of satellites in connecting the world today is undisputable. The ability to access information quickly and often opens opportunities for not only the next generation to gain experiences and share cultural knowledge, but ultimately makes education more convenient.
You can find out more about the Space Generation Advisory Council at http://www.spacegeneration.org/