Meet Up #27 - NASA Visits New Zealand

Earlier this March, Aerospace New Zealand had the pleasure of hosting the Administrator Bill Nelson, and Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy of NASA.

Earlier this March the Ambassador of the United States of America Tom Udall announced that the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA were going to visit Aotearoa New Zealand, on an official program, to explore the Aerospace Sector in New Zealand, and further strengthen relationships between the United States and New Zealand in terms of space cooperation. In a statement the Ambassador noted that a number of exciting developments were underway in the sector.

‘The space internships being offered to young New Zealanders, New Zealand signing the Artemis Accords in 2021, discussions during Prime Minister Ardern’s meeting in the Oval Office last May, and the U.S.-NZ Space Agreement that came into force last November. The developments just keep coming’

- U.S Ambassador Tom Udall

The official announcement image. Source: U.S Embassy NZ

The NASA delegation had a busy programme in Aotearoa New Zealand, visiting industry, educational facilities and connecting with leaders in Space Science and Engineering. As a part of their programme, Aerospace New Zealand hosted the delegation at an exclusive Invite Only Careers Fair event, offered to our Associates (in order to limit numbers at the event), Educational Partners and Students. As before this event, held at the University of Canterbury, the NASA delegation was able to visit the facilities at the University, check out the UC Aerospace Spaceport America Rocket and meet members of the Aerospace New Zealand Committee.

This visit marks the first time a NASA Administrator has visited the University of Canterbury, or in fact visited Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole.

UC Aerospace President Peter Lee speaking with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and Hon Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

UC Aerospace’s Team with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy and Hon Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

Aerospace New Zealand Operations Manager Vickie Harman with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy.

Aerospace New Zealand President and Kea Aerospace CEO Mark Rocket, with Aerospace New Zealand Secretary and Argus Group CEO Roland Sommer speaking to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaking with Aerospace New Zealand Technical Coordinator Rushil Gentejohann.

The Aerospace New Zealand Committee and Staff with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy and Hon Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

Aerospace New Zealand President and Kea Aerospace CEO Mark Rocket, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy and Hon Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

Nova Systems New Zealand General Manager Jude Rushmere with NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy and another member of the NASA Delegation.

Aerospace New Zealand Secretary and Argus Group CEO Roland Sommer speaking to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy at the University of Canterbury.

Sumner Primary School Arts and Crafts Class excited about the visit.

Following the NASA Delegations tour around the University of Canterbury, meeting UC Aerospace and Aerospace New Zealand, the delegation moved to the main location of Meet Up #28, and joined over 10 Companies and interested parties presenting at the Careers Fair with Stalls, with a further 5 panelists speaking at the event. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy delivered a speech inspiring students, educators and industry alike to push the boundaries in the Aerospace Sector. Furthermore a short speech by Hon Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall, and Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger concluded the individual speeches at the event.

A panel with Q&A rounded off the Meet Up, with the following individuals sitting in:

• Richard Adams, Regional Manager, Oceania, Swoop Aero 

• Dr Michele Banister, Planetary Astronomer and Science Communicator, University of Canterbury

• Roland Sommer, CEO, Argus Group

• James Ramsay, Team Lead - Spacecraft Tanks and Structures, Dawn Aerospace

• Dr Lisa Brown, General Surgeon & Aerospace Medicine Researcher; Lead of New Zealand Space Health Research Center

Its also important to note that in addition to visiting Aerospace New Zealand in Christchurch, the NASA delegation also visited Aerospace Auckland, and had a luncheon with the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. They were able to interact with a number of firms including Argo Navis Aerospace; Beca; Cirrus Materials Science; Emrod; Outset Ventures; RAM3D; Zenith Tecnica; and Zenno Astronautics.

Also present were Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Chief Executive Carolyn Tremain, New Zealand Space Agency head Iain Cossar, US Consul General Sarah Nelson, and other representatives of NASA, the US Mission to New Zealand, the New Zealand Space Agency, and Aerospace Auckland.

Aerospace Auckland with the NASA Delegation and Industry Partners.

Overall a highly successful Meet Up #27, and we look forward to welcoming NASA back to Aotearoa New Zealand the next time they visit.

You can access the recording on the associates recording page here.

If you aren’t as associate yet, you can join here.