The current state of diversity in the space tech sector.
Diversity and inclusion are key in space tech because they bring fresh ideas and different viewpoints, helping the industry tackle challenges more creatively and effectively.
When people from various backgrounds come together, they bring unique experiences and skills to the table, making it easier to create innovative solutions and push the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration.
We have explored the current state of diversity in the space tech sector, to understand what areas have been making positive changes and what areas need improving.
Gender Representation:
Traditionally, the space tech field has been male-dominated. However, organisations like NASA and SpaceX have been making efforts to increase female representation.
For instance, recent NASA missions have featured more women in prominent roles and NASA continues to make efforts to increase female representation. As of 2023, women make up about 34% of NASA’s workforce, with higher representation in administrative and lower technical roles. In more technical fields like engineering, the percentage of women is about 24%.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to land the first woman on the Moon, reflecting a commitment to increasing female representation in space missions.
Companies like SpaceX have historically had a lower representation of women compared to some others in the tech industries. Their recent initiatives are to increase the percentage or women in engineering and technical roles. This will hopefully give more women the support and courage to peruse a career within this space.
How can we support women in the space tech space?
– Education and training
– Networking opportunities
– Visibility and recognition
– Inclusive hiring practises
Racial and ethnic diversity:
A diverse network brings together a range of perspectives and experiences. Companies who have a strong commitment towards diverse teams can strengthen their reputation and embrace an inclusive environment that will create a sense of respect for workers.
According to NASA’s statistics, 30% of NASA employees identify as racial or ethic minorities. Notable diversity programs and initiatives aim to further increase this percentage, year after year.
According to a 2022 report by the Space Foundation, about 20% of the workforce in the space industry is composed of racial and ethnic minorities. This figure varies significantly depending on the specific company and role.
Although there is a strong progression of companies creating a diverse network, there are still much more we need to do in order to create fair and equal opportunities, for instance currently in NASA, there aren’t as many minorities in senior leadership roles compared to the general workforce.
Global Space Agencies:
Over the years we have seen more countries participating in space missions. For example, India, China, and the UAE have become significant players in space exploration. It’s great to see international collaboration as it brings fresh ideas, adding diverse viewpoints and expertise to the global space efforts
Initiatives within a workplace:
Many companies in the space tech world have set specific goals for increasing diversity with diverse hiring goals. Companies like Blue Origin and Boeing both have diversity targets and inclusion targets. By tracking their progress, they’re making the industry more inclusive and holding themselves accountable.
To support underrepresented groups in pursuing careers in space tech, there are organisations like the Space Foundation and universities that are using mentorship programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives to help ensure those that are underrepresented get a fair chance to succeed.
Overall, the current state of diversity within the space tech sector is clearly improving, with inclusion and diversity growing as more companies commit to enhancing representation across the industry.
However there are always areas to improve in, such as increasing diversity in leadership roles and ensuring everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
