Hansley Noruthun and Ishraj Inderjeet: Embarking on a journey to space

In Mauritius, we have many space lovers who cherish the dream of space travel. Hansley and Ishraj are determined young men who epitomize the saying “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.” Both, aged 24 and from Triolet, are young graduates in space studies. Hansley Noruthun: “My dream: A Space Consortium for Mauritius” Today a Bioscientist, an associate of King’s College London and a graduate from the Space Studies Program 2015 of the International Space University (ISU), Hansley Noruthun started his academic journey at Notre-Dame de La Paix RCA (Port-Louis) and then moved to Triolet State Secondary School. He stems from a middle-class family. His father works in the health sector while his mother works as a Higher Social Security Officer at the Ministry of Social Security. She is also a teacher at Alliance Francaise. In financial terms, it was very challenging for Hansley to study in the UK and even more so, in the area of aerospace. Nonetheless, his family has always supported him through every step of his journey. Without the funding and scholarships he received from various organisations, says Hansley, it would have been nearly impossible to undertake these programs and research. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10445","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-18856 size-full","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"640","height":"364","alt":"hansley-2"}}]] Career pathway “After completing my studies, I moved to the United Kingdom where I had the opportunity to be involved with institutions such as Institut Française de Londres, London South Bank University (LSBU), London Institute of Space Policy and Law (ISPL), King’s College London (KCL) and consequently, Ohio University (OU/USA) and International Space University (ISU). Apart from academia, my work portfolio comprises of a number of projects namely educational outreach and cooperation program in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Times and Ernst & Young, as well as working with the international bureau of LSBU and KCL. Notable achievements include being an elected UNICEF representative, an international ambassador, the Associateship of King’s College London Barry Prize, the Top Ten Student in the Country 2008 Award IGCSE and numerous other visiting positions and affiliations,” he shares. Hansley finds it interesting to be part of this innovative and growing industry. “I am hoping that the breadth of knowledge, experience and skills I have acquired and still am, will eventually help me to make a positive contribution to the space sector and Mauritius in the future,” he adds. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10446","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-18857 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"272","alt":"hansley-3"}}]]Why aerospace studies? Outer space has always fascinated the young man. “Since childhood, I was interested in space in all shape and form. I was and still am, a huge fan of X-Files. I received my first telescope as a gift from my dad, but it was not till much later that I got really involved in this field. In college, I followed a scientific pathway which I thought was a good foundation for the future; my main inspirations at that point were individuals such as Carl Sagan and his incredible book on Cosmos and Professor Brian Cox. After college, I opted for a degree in Biosciences as I wanted to explore life in all its forms, from molecules to cells to organisms to the human body, predominately the origins of life. After graduation, the latter subsequently became the catalyst for my involvement in the space industry where I had the opportunity to be involved in space projects with the UK Space Agency (UKSA), European Space Agency (ESA), German Space Agency (DLR), International Space University and finally NASA,” he avers. Challenges faced Apart from the financial constraints, the most difficult part of his journey was the beginning: Where to start? How to get involved? What are the pathways to get into this industry? He had to find answers to all these questions. “The space sector is known to be challenging and demanding. Stemming from a small island which does not have an established space sector, it was intimidating at times. Nonetheless, I did get some support and kind words of encouragement whilst doing my space program from the Office of the President in Mauritius and also Dr Nalini Heeralall-Issur, Associate Professor at the University of Mauritius and Head of Mauritius Radio Telescope,” he reveals. “Space Consortium for Mauritius” Hansley wants to continue with his work at the University and complete his management qualification. “My dream is simple: travel to space and hopefully establish a Space consortium for Mauritius where we can all get involved. Besides, I will continue my research within the space sector. Currently, I am trying to secure funding for my next research programme. As for my long-term goal, I really hope to make a positive impact and contribution to the community and definitely Mauritius. Along with research, entrepreneurship has always been engaging to me, so possibly, a combination of both in the future,” he hopes.

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Ishraj S. Inderjeet: “My dream is to become an astronaut”

24-year-old Ishraj Inderjeet is originally from Triolet. He now lives in Australia and dreams of travelling to space. He recently obtained a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with Honours from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Melbourne, Australia. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10448","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-18859 size-full","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"640","height":"428","alt":"ishraj-2"}}]] “I chose aerospace engineering as it opens up opportunities in both space sciences and engineering sectors. It is not easy to find a job in the aerospace sector but with perseverance, patience, discipline and hard work, I believe I can achieve my goal and become an astronaut someday,” he expresses. For the young man, space is like home. It all started when he was five. “That childhood Lego toy, gifted to me by an air hostess, made me think like an engineer. It occurred to me that it would only be complete if the right piece was fitted in the right place,” he recalls. In 2016, Ishraj has been the only person in Australia to win the ‘Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund’ full scholarship to attend the Southern Hemisphere – Space Studies Program 2016 by the International Space University (ISU) in Adelaide. “Despite being born in an upper middle-class family with two younger siblings, my parents never compromised when it came to education. At some point in time, it did become a bit difficult for my parents to support two children studying at foreign universities. I started seeing the world differently. I realised the hard work and sacrifice they made for my education, and it was high time that I give them something back. This is when I started seizing all the opportunities that came my way to make them proud,” he avers. Passion for space The young man is very passionate about space studies. “I have realised how small and interconnected the aerospace industry is here, in Australia and internationally. I quickly understood how to grow my network, and climb up the ladder with a good academic background. I am confident to land a job in the space sector soon, and would ensure that my work in the space sector – anywhere in the world – is reflected onto the progress of my home country, Mauritius, in one way or the other,” he says. During his journey, Ishraj built a strong network by meeting renowned international personalities: NASA’s Ed Buckbee and John Connolly, Physicist Walter Lewin, IBM Fellow John Cohn, eminent aerospace Professor James Hansen, astronauts Robert Thirsk, Jean-Jacques Favier, Chris Hadfield and Sandra Magnus, CEOs and Founders of various aerospace companies and organisations such as Dr Robert Zubrin, Elon Musk and Professor Walter Peters. 2016 White Paper Team Project Ishraj is currently working on the 2016 white Paper Team Project which will tackle two of the most crucial, interlinked issues facing the world in the 21st Century: growing food insecurity and fresh water scarcity. “The White Paper will especially address needs and capacities within the Global South and what those countries can do for themselves to alleviate global hunger, in cooperation with one another and with space-faring States throughout the world. We have also sent a stratospheric balloon at an altitude of 36.4 km high for observation over Adelaide, Australia, to determine the greenery of the vineyards and other vegetation. The data and images were processed to better guide farmers and vineyard-owners of how to manage their crops in a better way,” he says giving an insight of the project. Bringing ISU to Mauritius Though far from his country, Ishraj has a special thought for Mauritians. He wishes to bring the International Space University (ISU) to Mauritius, this will enable students of the ISU program in Mauritius to participate in aerospace-related projects such as stratospheric balloon launch, CubeSat development and deployment, panel discussions usually involving astronauts, public events and workshops. It would also put Mauritius in the global map for world-space leaders. Above all, it will initiate an increase in interest in the Mauritian public and hopefully the politicians towards space, and eventually leading to a national space agency in Mauritius. Space is a new market with a lot of free resources which can benefit the Mauritian economy,” he states, keeping a ray of hope.