Australian students with a passion for all things extra-terrestrial will soon have an opportunity to participate in internationally recognised Space workforce training.
Remote operations collaborator AROSE has formed a partnership with US-based MILO Space Science Institute to bring its 12-week online course to Australia for the first time.
The MILO Mission Academy is designed for students from TAFE and universities, as well as early career professionals. Graduates will be able to take the skills they acquire in the Mission Academy and apply them across multiple industries throughout their careers, not just in the Space sector.
The MILO Institute is a research collaborative led by Arizona State University (ASU). The MILO Mission Academy, delivered by ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, provides unique, hands-on learning and insight into the dynamic world of Space.
Participants learn mission procedures and protocols from industry professionals as they collaborate with fellow team members to complete mission-related projects. Students are taught how to work as a team, apply problem-solving skills, implement program management methods, and learn the basics of entrepreneurship.
AROSE and The MILO Institute have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will lead to many young Australian Space enthusiasts completing its specialist online course.
The MILO Institute Executive Director David Thomas said partnering with AROSE would deliver specialist training opportunities for Australian students and early career professionals.
“The AROSE-MILO agreement will help prepare the workforce of tomorrow and grow the Space ecosystem in Australia,” Mr Thomas said. “The skills and experience students acquire through the course are applicable to all industry sectors, not just Space.”
AROSE Program Director Michelle Keegan said the MOU is an exciting first step to bringing the course to Australia.
“The MILO Mission Academy makes Space workforce development accessible to everyone, regardless of their location, background or financial position,” Ms Keegan said. “Many Australian universities do not have a Space program, so this course will allow students to gain training in this growing and increasingly important sector for Australia.
“For those universities that do have a Space program, we hope participating in the MILO Mission Academy will encourage more students to go further into those university programs.”
Ms Keegan said the initiative supports the AROSE mission to grow the Australian talent pipeline for Space exploration and operations and inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM.
“Importantly, graduates will be able to take the skills they acquire in the MILO Mission Academy and apply them across multiple industries throughout their careers, not exclusively in the Space sector.”
AROSE will seek support from industry to make the course available to participants from across Australia by providing free or low cost access for approved students. It is hoped that up to 1000 places will be available each year in Australia across two semesters.
AROSE board member and Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director General Linda Dawson said the AROSE-MILO partnership would further strengthen Australia’s ties to the Space sector in the United States.
“The first Australian to walk on the Moon and even Mars will be somewhere in a classroom today,” Ms Dawson said. “In the future they may undertake the MILO Mission Academy as part of their journey to the stars.”
The MILO Mission Academy is the global arm of NASA’s Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE) program, currently available to students attending US institutions of higher education. More than 7,000 students from 800 colleges and universities having participated.
