Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by European Space Agency

Ms Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, will be trained as an astronaut by the European Space Agency (ESA).

She becomes the first Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by an international space agency, following the selection by ESA last year of Dr Meganne Christian – although brought up in Australia, Dr Christian will enter astronaut training at ESA under the British flag.

Ms Bennell-Pegg will begin training in April through until mid-2024. She will remain an employee of the Australian Space Agency, where she has worked since the end of 2019.

When she completes her intensive training, Katherine will receive basic training certification, a prerequisite for assignment to missions to the International Space Station.

Katherine, as a dual United Kingdom citizen, privately applied to join the European Astronaut Corps when it was advertised in early 2021. This was the first selection process since 2009. She was one of only 25 people to complete the program, from 22,500 eligible applicants.

Katherine has more than 12 years’ experience as a space systems engineer. She has studied and worked across 6 countries and many projects including:

• human spaceflight missions and technologies
• the International Space Station
• debris removal concepts
• scientific, earth observation
• space exploration missions.

“I have always dreamed of being an astronaut” said Ms Bennell-Pegg. “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.

“I want to use this experience to open doors for Australian scientists and engineers to utilise space for their discoveries, to inspire the pursuit of STEM careers, and show all Australians that they too can reach for the stars.”

This secondment will also further strengthen the long and prosperous relationship between Europe and Australia, particularly in scientific endeavours related to space.

Australia and ESA have had treaties in place since 1979 to enable ESA ground stations on Australian soil to track spacecraft and interplanetary missions.