Katherine Bennell-Pegg grew up on Sydney’s northern seashores together with her ft within the ocean and her head within the stars.
Her childhood dream was to change into an astronaut.
Now the engineer and mum of two has made that dream a actuality, turning into the primary astronaut to graduate beneath the Australian flag.
“After I grew up in Australia we did not have an area company, not to mention a human area flight program,” she advised the Australian Related Press.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg exhibits the Columbus coaching module on the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Credit score: AP
“I had the astronaut dream however I by no means believed I might have the possibility to do it, whereas representing Australia, so for me, that is the hugest honour.”
Australians Andy Thomas and Paul Scully Energy each travelled to area as Americans.
There has by no means been an Australian lady in area.
Thomas, a retired NASA astronaut, congratulated Bennell-Pegg on her commencement.
“Now you’re able to make the subsequent large leap as you boldly go the place no Australian lady has gone earlier than,” he mentioned.
Bennell-Pegg began her coaching with the European Area Company in Germany in April 2023.
She was one in all six astronauts who graduated from this system on Monday.
The rigorous program takes astronauts by means of low-gravity flights, robotics, scientific experiments, survival, medical and centrifuge coaching.
Australia’s first astronaut, Andy Thomas, travelled to area as an American citizen. Supply: AAP / Morgan Sette
Bennell-Pegg mentioned probably the most memorable workouts was the centrifuge coaching.
“We get put into slightly capsule at nighttime and we undergo the total g-force profile over a launch and return,” she mentioned.
“You simply really feel this crushing drive … you may think about your self in a rocket, on the capsule coming again and you already know you may deal with that and its results.
“I used to be fairly dizzy afterwards — I could have walked right into a pole.”
Now that she has graduated together with her primary coaching certification, Bennell-Pegg is certified for missions to the Worldwide Area Station, though there are not any area missions deliberate for her but.
“I might be honoured to signify Australia in area ought to I ever get the possibility,” she mentioned.
“It is a actually thrilling time to be concerned in area flight so the longer term is open, and I am optimistic, however one step at a time.”
Bennell-Pegg is a director of area expertise on the Australian Area Company.
She mentioned she would return to Australia in mid-2024 and hoped to encourage the subsequent generations of kids who, simply as she had, dreamed of going into area.
“I need to have the ability to go into colleges and inform children an astronaut dream is a professional dream and to dream large,” she mentioned.
Enrico Palmero, the pinnacle of the Australian Area Company, mentioned the organisation was pleased with Bennell-Pegg and glad to welcome her again as a totally certified astronaut.
“Katherine will return to Australia a professional astronaut brimming with information, insights and connections that may assist generate international alternatives for our trade — driving extra innovation and financial improvement right here at residence,” he mentioned.
