The Sydney-born astronaut who learnt Russian in eight weeks

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is a role model – the first person to train and qualify as an international astronaut under the Australian flag. She’s doing it all for her late mum.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag. Roy VanDerVegt

Simon EvansSenior reporter

Sep 13, 2024 – 5.00am

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I’m sitting with Katherine Bennell-Pegg at the rear of Hey Jupiter, a busy French brasserie in Adelaide’s East End, and nary a head has turned.

Then, AFR Weekend’s photographer politely asks her to stand up and put on her official Australian Space Agency astronaut’s jacket.

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Simon EvansSenior reporterSimon Evans writes on business specialising in retail, manufacturing, beverages, mining and M&A. He is based in Adelaide.