Megha Mahima Wijewardane – Australia’s Youngest NASA Ambassador and Scientific Communicator – by eLanka
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Megha Mahima Wijewardane (born 29 March 2010 in Adelaide, Australia) is a Sri Lankan-Australian scientific communicator, child prodigy, and Australia’s only junior ambassador to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. Recognised internationally for his exceptional achievements in science and technology, Megha has made significant contributions to global scientific engagement from a remarkably young age.
Early Life and Education
Megha was born to Sri Lankan immigrant parents in Adelaide and demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for physics and mathematics from early childhood. His parents, his father Charith Wijewardane (an artist) and his mother Doshanthri Ranatunge (a former newspaper editor), supported his early interest in science.
Science Challenges and Early Achievements
At age 7, Megha participated in the 2017 NASA Space Apps Challenge, where he competed against university students and aerospace professionals, winning the Northrop Grumman Prize for his work on atmospheric science. He continued participating in 2018, submitting innovative problem-solving work related to asteroid Bennu, which NASA identifies as a potential future risk to Earth.
In 2018, Megha also competed in the ActInSpace challenge, becoming the youngest team leader and entrepreneur in Australia in the science and technology category, presenting a satellite-based solution to track unreported maritime vessels.
NASA Ambassadorship
As a result of his work and engagement with NASA challenges and satellite data projects, Megha was offered the role of junior ambassador for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. This mission successfully retrieved samples from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020, marking a major milestone in planetary science.In his ambassadorial role, Megha has undergone training offered by the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL), participated in international science summits, and presented mission updates to schools, universities, and public audiences. He uses this platform to communicate cutting-edge scientific developments to broader communities.
Continued Academic Pursuits
While still in his early teens, Megha attended Westminster School in Adelaide and was selected to begin part-time university-level study in physics at Flinders University at age 12.
Scientific Outreach and Innovation
In 2019, at age 9, Megha collaborated on an innovative platform using NASA’s live satellite data—an app called “Megha Naada”—designed to warn vulnerable populations ahead of natural disasters, demonstrating his commitment to applying scientific knowledge for public good.
He has conducted physics and astronomy lectures for students of all ages and developed educational tools to support STEM learning. Megha also runs a YouTube channel with a growing audience and continues to develop science-focused apps.
Public Engagement and Future Ambitions
Known for his enthusiasm and curiosity, Megha has shared his science and space insights at events across Australia and globally, including a lecture series on NASA systems engineering in Sri Lanka in 2025. He is passionate about aerospace, engineering, and technological innovation and plans to build an aerospace engineering company when his formal education is complete.
Publications
In November 2025, Megha published his first book, Punarutthana, a historical and analytical work that examines the impact of colonial administrations on Sri Lanka’s development and argues for the island’s future role in the global space industry.
A link to Megha Wijewardane’s Yout Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@meghawijewardane/videos
Sources
The above biographical and professional profile was compiled using information from the following sources:
Wikipedia – Megha Wijewardane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megha_Wijewardane
eLanka – Megha Wijewardane NASA Junior Ambassador: https://www.elanka.com.au/megha-wijewardane-nasa-junior-ambassador/
FindGlocal – Megha Wijewardane profile: https://www.findglocal.com/AU/Adelaide/2580304831998684/MEGHA-Wijewardane—Space-%26-Aviation-Activist
A link to Megha Wijewardane’s Yout Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@meghawijewardane/videos
