Fascinated by space and science

A CURIOSITY about what lay beyond the night sky led Amit Januk to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.

Januk, 23, from Unit 21 in Phoenix, recently graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering from Wits University in Johannesburg.

From the time Januk was little, he was fascinated by space and science.

“I would look up at the sky at night and wonder what was going on in the universe. I wanted to know how it was formed? How did it operate? Was there life out there?

“I had so many questions. I would often watch programmes like Myth Busters, documentaries on the universe and Air Crash Investigations to try and understand space.”

By the time he was 12, Januk knew he wanted to be an aerospace engineer.

In Grade 11, while a pupil at Greenbury Secondary School in Phoenix, Januk enrolled to be a pilot at the Durban Aviation Centre at the Virginia Airport.

“I had to study and write 10 examinations and cover at least 20 hours of flying in order to qualify for my pilot licence. I started while I was in Grade 11 and graduated in Grade 12.

“I now have a recreational pilot licence but I intend on getting my commercial licence. It was difficult juggling mainstream and flight schools but I remained focused on what I wanted to achieve on both sides.”

Januk said he moved to Johannesburg to study.

“It was not easy. Aerospace engineering is a complex field.

“At times I felt overwhelmed but remembered that my goal was to get answers to the things I was curious about. This motivated me.”

In his final-year presentation, Januk focused on how one could clear space debris.

“Many people don’t know this but there is so much space debris in the form of used rockets and used satellites. This debris is travelling at high speeds and has the capabilities of damaging our satellites that provide our internet connections or monitor weather services. It can also damage other spacecraft that have been launched for research purposes.”

Januk said in his presentation he designed a mission to help him retrieve the debris.

“My mission was centered on launching an unmanned space aircraft which has the capabilities of latching on to the debris. Once the debris is latched on, the spacecraft will then de-orbit to a lower altitude and drop the debris into a safe location.”

He said organisations such as Nasa already had programmes in place to clear debris from space.

Januk has been to several job interviews with companies based in the US and Europe, and is awaiting feedback.

“South Africa has a space agency but it has not explored the issues of space debris.

“I am hoping to be employed by one of the international companies so I can learn from them and one day bring my knowledge back to South Africa.

“I am passionate about what I do. I feel that I will be doing something meaningful to advance society.”

Januk said he was grateful to his parents, Viky and Jenny, for their sacrifices, support and upbringing.

“They will always be my biggest fans. I am also grateful to my siblings (Sumit and Pooja) and the friends I’ve made along the way. They have been instrumental in my success.”

Januk said if he could give advice to his younger self, it would be not to compare himself to others.

“Take your time. Find what it is that will always get you up happy in the morning, and aim for the highest.”