The South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) is supporting locals to shape the state’s thriving space sector with fully funded scholarships to attend the 2026 Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) in Adelaide.
The highly interactive, four-week program is held annually at Adelaide University’s Mawson Lakes Campus and delivered in partnership with the globally recognised International Space University (ISU).
Through workshops, projects and a core lecture series by internationally recognised experts from Australia and across the globe, SHSSP participants receive a well-rounded education in key areas of knowledge required by today’s space professionals.
Topics covered include space science and exploration; applications and services; systems engineering and technologies; and space policy, business and law.
Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie said past SHSSP graduates had gained internships and employment at many of the 100-plus space-related businesses in South Australia as well as the Australian Space Agency.
“The SHSSP continues to provide an exceptional pipeline of qualified talent to lead and support South Australia’s space-related businesses and industries,” Mr Opie said.
“Whether you want to upskill or re-skill in this exciting industry, I highly encourage South Australians with an interest in space to apply for a SASIC scholarship.”
SASIC is offering four scholarships to fully cover the cost of tuition, accommodation and meals during the 2026 program to be held from 12 January to 6 February.
Applicants can be from any discipline, with professionals, university graduates and undergraduate students (who have successfully completed at least two years of study) residing in South Australia eligible to apply.
For Tash Moy, who attended this year’s SHSSP as a SASIC scholarship recipient, the program transformed her world view.
“SHSSP was a transformative experience for me and the core lecture series was exceptional,” Tash said.
“South Korean astronaut Yi So-yeon gave a special lecture about her selection, training, and spaceflight. I remember every word including walking back to the accommodation with the other participants, all of us were speechless and existential.
“Unexpectedly, Henry Botha was a favourite lecturer. He taught us how to read a financial statement, which sounds very dry, but we were all on the edge of our seats.”
Tash receives her SHSSP 2025 Academic Award from Claudiu Mihai Tăiatu, Academic Director, International Space University.
Tash, who is currently in Houston, Texas, undertaking a Master of Science (Space Studies) at Rice University, also reflected on how South Australia’s investment in space has shaped her career trajectory.
“I often imagine what my life would have been like had grown up in a different state instead of South Australia – there would have been no first internship at Inovor Technologies and no casual job at the Australian Space Discovery Centre during university,” Tash said.
“I don’t know if I would have pursued space as seriously as I have.
“So many opportunities in South Australia have shaped me personally and professionally including the SHSSP.
Tash with her team for the Rocket Launch Challenge during SHSSP 2025 in Adelaide.
“My SHSSP group project team consisted of 29 people from 13 countries – I now have a global network of space professionals to leverage for South Australia’s benefit.
“Even though I’m excited to be in Houston right now, the home of NASA’s Johnston Space Centre where, to use an American expression, I feel like a kid in a candy store, I’m immensely grateful to have grown up with South Australia’s space sector and I can’t wait to return and share what I’ve learned.”
Applications for the SASIC 2026 SHSSP scholarships are open until 30 October 2025.
