Adelaide’s Katherine Bennell to make history as first Australian woman to be internationally trained as astronaut

Space pioneer Katherine Bennell-Pegg is set to make history as the first Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by an international space agency.

Space pioneer Katherine Bennell-Pegg is set to make history as the first Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by an international space agency.

The Adelaide-based director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency will begin intensive training in Germany next month with the European Space Agency.

The training, which is expected to be completed by mid-2024, is a prerequisite for assignment to missions to the International Space Station.

A dual United Kingdom citizen, Ms Bennell-Pegg will be the first woman to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg with her daughters Hazel and Clara at Lot 14. Picture: Mark Brake

Katherine Bennell-Pegg at The Advertiser Sunday Mail Woman of the Year Awards this week. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

She applied to join the European Astronaut Corp in early 2021 – the first selection process held since 2009.

Late last year, Ms Bennell-Pegg was the last 0.1 per cent of candidates who reached the final interview stage of astronaut selection.

Ms Bennell-Pegg, who was named The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year on Monday night, said the opportunity to become an astronaut was the realisation of a childhood dream that could also benefit all Australians.

“I have always dreamt of being an astronaut. When I was young, it was for the adventure but after more than a decade working in space it’s now because I know the role it plays in tackling real-world problems and developing new knowledge that can benefit our society, environment and science,” said Ms Bennell-Pegg, who will remain with the Australian Space Agency, where she has worked since the end of 2019.

Advertiser editor Gemma Jones with Woman of the Year winner Katherine Bennell-Pegg. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“It’s been a privilege to play a part in shaping our growing space sector in Australia in recent years and I now look forward to contributing even more through this historic opportunity.”

Ms Bennell-Pegg has more than 12 years experience as a space systems engineer. She has studied and worked across six countries on several projects including human spaceflight missions and technologies, and the International Space Station.

Prior to her role at the Australian Space Agency and career in the space industry, Ms Bennell-Pegg served in the military. She was awarded the Sword of Honour and The Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey Memorial award as well as first place in her graduating class of Australian Army Reserve officers at the Royal Military College.

She is also a Surf Lifesaving volunteer.