Stellar ambitions: lived experiences of international graduate students in space science from the Global South

Purpose This paper aims to explore how international graduate students from the Global South studying in US space science programs challenge dominant norms in developing their science identity within the context of racist and anti-Global South policy discussions surrounding space science capacity-building. Design/methodology/approach This study used a phenomenological design to explore these students’ lived experiences using semi-structured interviews of 15 international graduate students from the Global South studying in US space science programs. This study established trustworthiness through purposive sampling, peer debriefing, member-checking and triangulation. Findings This study provides evidence that these students continue to encounter racially-informed national security limitations on their professional development and employment prospects. Contrary to popular discourse, however, several participants expressed a pull factor back to their home country to help build the nascent space sector. In addition, this study found the importance of diverse programs and lab environments as protective factors against the myriad racial microaggressions they face as foreign scientists in the USA. Social implications Given the recent pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the USA and globally, graduate programs in space science may lose the best and brightest students due to adhering to a global racial hierarchy that impacts the USA’s competitiveness. Originality/value This study is novel in that it considers how global and domestic politics impact the socialization and career preparation of graduate students from the Global South in a time of increased international competition and cooperation in the new space race.