Two Young Indian-Origin Students in New Zealand Bag Prestigious NASA Internship
- Two Indian-origin students in New Zealand, Shivam Desai and Taran John, have been selected for a prestigious internship at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under a New Zealand government initiative.
- Desai is working on antenna deployment systems for small satellites, while John is assisting in research related to sampling mechanisms on Martian and lunar surfaces.
- The internship programme, supported by the New Zealand Space Agency, aims to build an aerospace-capable workforce and provide students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge space missions.
In a proud moment for the Indian diaspora, two young Indian-origin students studying in New Zealand have earned coveted internships at NASA’s prestigious Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, USA. Shivam Desai and Taran John are among seven students selected under a New Zealand government-backed initiative aimed at nurturing future leaders in space science and technology.
The programme, run in collaboration with the New Zealand Space Agency, provides selected tertiary students with a three-month hands-on placement at JPL one of the world’s leading space research centres. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to build an aerospace-capable workforce and foster global scientific collaboration.
Shivam Desai, a 24-year-old mechatronics engineering master’s student from the University of Auckland, was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and moved to New Zealand as an infant. Currently based in New Lynn, Desai traces his fascination with space back to high school. “I watched a documentary by Neil deGrasse Tyson while learning about gravity and orbital dynamics, and that’s when my interest really took off”, he recalled.
At JPL, Desai is working on the deployment mechanism for antenna systems, especially those launched on small satellites. He also credited his parents for helping him stay connected to his Indian roots, adding, “We travel to India quite often. I have a lot of family there”.
Meanwhile, Taran John, a third-year PhD student at Victoria University in Wellington, is contributing to research on sampling mechanisms for Martian and lunar surfaces. Born in Bengaluru and originally from Kerala, John’s academic work focuses on enhancing the interaction between astronauts and their equipment.
“JPL has played a role in so many major space achievements. Being here, you're surrounded by some of the best minds in the world”, said John, who grew up in Lower Hutt. He also highlighted the role of the Malayali community in Wellington in helping him maintain strong cultural ties.
Andrew Johnson, deputy head of the New Zealand Space Agency, said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to fostering science and innovation. “We’re proud to support the next generation of science and space innovators”, he said.
