Australia’s first astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg in the NT for CDU, Batchelor Institute, Katherine talks
Australia’s first astronaut is set to visit the Top End and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts. Here’s how to get tickets.
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Australia’s first astronaut is set to visit the Top End and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg will tour the Territory with tales of space, stopping at Charles Darwin Univerity’s Casuarina campus, the Batchelor Institute, and Katherine High School’s gymnasium on November 10, 11, and 12.
The interactive events will include Q&A sessions and highlight what Ms Bennell-Pegg’s journey to life as an astronaut was like.
According to the Australian Space Agency, the ASA Space Technology Director is the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag.
“In high school, when asked to write down three different career options, Katherine only wrote down one – astronaut – and refused to add any others,” the agency said.
“With the encouragement of her parents, Katherine researched what she would need to do to become an astronaut.
“She worked hard at school, studying maths, English, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics in her final year.
“Plus, she took part in a range of extra-curriculars targeting a career in space: aerobatic flying lessons, amateur astronomy, sports and debating.”
After high school, she completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Aeronautical Engineering (Space) and a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) - Physics from the University of Sydney.
Ms Bennell-Pegg started Basic Astronaut Training at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany in 2023 and graduated from the course in April 2024.
Ms Bennell-Pegg’s trip to the NT comes as part of CDU’s Radicle Road Show which brings science workshops to remote schools.
CDU Radicle Centre Director and Senior Lecturer of STEM Pathways, Carla Eisemberg, said the astronaut’s visits were an “amazing opportunity, especially for NT youth”.
“You can’t be what you don’t see, and we need professionals in science and technology,” Dr Eisemberg said.
“If these kids can’t see themselves as these professionals, they are not going to pursue careers in STEM, so having people like Katherine, who is willing to come here to inspire a new generation of science and technology leaders, suddenly it becomes real.
“This event and the work of the Radicle Centre is about creating awareness and inspiring others – you don’t have to be an astronaut but there are pathways to start something you love.”
Tickets can be booked online through Humanitix for Batchelor and Katherine, and a waitlist is available for the Darwin event.
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