Katherine Bennell-Pegg

🇦🇺👩‍🚀 Australian astronaut, @esa class - "The Hoppers", Director of Space Technology @AusSpaceAgency, Mum of 2 girls, Space Systems Engineer

[Katherine Bennell-Pegg @AussieAstroKat]

This is going straight to the pool room! 🇦🇺✨

[Air Marshal Stephen Chappell @CAF_Australia]

Congratulations to Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg who has been named 2026 South Australian of the Year and is now shortlisted for 2026 Australian of the Year.

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[ADF #DroneRacing Team (Friends of) @AUADRT]

Australian 🇦🇺 astronaut GPCAPT Katherine Bennell-Pegg experienced a high-speed “hot lap” with one of the fastest #DrroneRacing pilots in the @DefenceAust at the #Richmond Airshow. @AustralianArmy pilot #MacDaddy flew the “goggle ride”
#SendIt!
https://t.co/9xOBRVGsym

[Patrick Gorman MP @PatrickGormanMP]

The Australian of the Year Awards are an opportunity to celebrate extraordinary Australians who make profound impacts on our lives and our communities.

Today we celebrate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the 2026 Australian of the Year for South Australia.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is making history as the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s space program, opening pathways for others to follow. As a space engineer, she has advanced multiple space missions and technologies. Alongside her career achievements, Katherine is an energetic champion for Australia’s space program, regularly presenting to audiences of schoolchildren and industry leaders to inspire the next generation and create new opportunities.

I also extend my congratulations to the other recipients announced tonight:

2026 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia - Malcolm Benoy
2026 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia - Chloe Wyatt-Jasper
2026 Local Hero for South Australia - Ayesha Fariha Safdar

Australians can be truly inspired by this remarkable group of individuals.

I look forward to seeing all the recipients in Canberra next year for the Australian of the Year Awards.

[AusoftheYearAwards @ausoftheyear]

A night of pride and inspiration in South Australia! 💛​

​Congratulations to Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Malcolm ‘Mac’ Benoy, Chloe Wyatt-Jasper and Ayesha Safdar— the 2026 #AusoftheYear recipients.

[Australian Space Agency @AusSpaceAgency]

Huge congratulations to our trailblazing team member Katherine Bennell-Pegg on being named Australian of the Year for South Australia.

The first astronaut qualified under the Australian flag, Katherine is a champion for our space industry and a role model for young Australians.

[Katherine Bennell-Pegg @AussieAstroKat]

@AusSpaceAgency Thank you 🙏 this is also recognition of those at the @AusSpaceAgency and @IndustryGovAu, and the many I’ve worked with throughout this journey. Their trust in me and support made this possible.

[Sultan AlNeyadi @Astro_Alneyadi]

I toured the exhibition at IAC 2025 in Sydney along with my colleagues and was delighted to meet many of the participants at the global event and was also joined by astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency during the meet and greet session.

Our missions are driven by the dedication of these teams and organisations, whose innovations will help us reach new destinations, live sustainably in space, conduct vital scientific experiments, and ensure the success of future explorations.

[Australian Space Agency @AusSpaceAgency]

Submissions close next Monday, 11 August 🚀

Be part of a Japanese mission to Mars. This decade, the @JAXA_en will launch an uncrewed mission to probe Mars and its two Moons.
How could your company support Japan's uncrewed mission to Mars?

Find out more https://t.co/naLMBI31Gi

[IAC 2025 @IAC2025sydney]

🌏✨ For one incredible week, Sydney will become the beating heart of the global space community — and we’re ready to welcome you.

🔗 Register Now: https://t.co/Y2qtvZjfeV

@AussieAstroKat @iafastro @spaceindustryoz @AusSpaceAgency @InvestmentNSW @ICCSyd

[🇯🇵Embassy of Japan in Australia🇦🇺 @JPEmbassyAU]

🚀 Huge thanks to our 🇯🇵🇦🇺 #SpaceTrailblazers for inspiring the next gen at @questacon’s Japan Theatre! Sharing space mission stories & know-how lifts 🇯🇵🇦🇺cooperation into orbit—sky high and rising! 🌌@AussieAstroKat @AusSpaceAgency @JAXA_en @ourANU

[Katherine Bennell-Pegg @AussieAstroKat]

@JPEmbassyAU @questacon @AusSpaceAgency @JAXA_en @ourANU Thank you for having me at this fantastic event - it was wonderful to discuss the strong space cooperation between Australia and Japan.

[Katherine Bennell-Pegg @AussieAstroKat]

It was great to visit @sahmriAU, hear about their compelling activities, and exchange with them on the translational benefits of space health and medical research.

[SAHMRI @sahmriAU]

We were honoured to host Australia’s first astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg at SAHMRI this morning. 👩‍🚀

Before an out-of-this-world presentation about the benefits of microgravity, we toured the SAHMRI facilities, touching down in MITRU, cryogenics, flow cytometry and more.

[Katherine Bennell-Pegg @AussieAstroKat]

So happy to see my mate @astro_slawosz launch to space !!

[Human Spaceflight @esaspaceflight]

First taste of microgravity for @astro_slawosz 🧑‍🚀✨

How do we know? Meet Joy — the baby swan flying with the #Ax4 crew 🦢

More than a zero-g indicator, Joy symbolises grace, unity and the shared spirit of exploration. When Joy floats, it means: welcome to microgravity 🚀

@esa @POLSA_GOV_PL @MRiTGOVPL @Axiom_Space

[STARTUP DAILY @StartupDailyANZ]

The husband of Australia’s first “Aussie” astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg (@AussieAstroKat), has been appointed the new director of space at the South Australian Space Industry Centre (@SASIC_Aus).

https://t.co/23yVI6gPjp

[JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science @ISAS_JAXA_EN]

JAXA’s Sagamihara Campus welcomed the @AusSpaceAgency, including ASA Head Enrico Palermo and Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg! Topics such as MMX were discussed with ISAS Director General Dr Fujimoto, and everyone joined a live event showcasing robotic–crewed mission integration.

[Space Connect @SpaceConnectHQ]

There’s no shortage of inspiration here on day 2 of the #AustralianSpaceSummit 2025, with astronauts Eric Philips OAM, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, and Paul Scully-Power, live on the Space Connect podcast stage.

#SpaceConnect #podcast #astronauts #space #STEM #spaceexploration

[Air and Space Power Centre @ASPC_Australia]

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨

Join us in the hangar as we chat to Group Captain Katherine Bennell-Pegg, an Australian astronaut, and recently commissioned @AusAirForce Officer.

🎧: https://t.co/EFhYkaLz1k

#Hangar46 #JoinUsAtTheHangar

[ISAS（JAXA宇宙科学研究所） @ISAS_JAXA]

オーストラリア宇宙庁 @AusSpaceAgency のパレルモ長官、ベネル＝ペッグ宇宙飛行士が相模原キャンパス訪問。藤本所長とMMX等を協議し、無人・有人連携イベントにも参加。

[JAXA宇宙探査イノベーションハブ @JAXA_TansaX]

先週20日、オーストラリア宇宙庁の相模原キャンパス訪問👩‍🚀🇦🇺。宇宙探査フィールドご視察や、SORA-Q操作にも挑戦いただきました✨

[Andrew Shearerアンドリュー・シーラー @AusAmbJPN]

🇦🇺 & 🇯🇵 cooperate in the space sector to boost our economies and strengthen our security. Delighted to host the heads of our space agencies and an astronaut from each country. Big potential for future growth 🚀
@AusSpaceAgency @AussieAstroKat