2 February 2026
Alumni Named Australian of the Year 2026
Space engineer and astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named Australian of the Year 2026, in recognition of her groundbreaking achievements in space science and her commitment to inspiring future generations.
An Adelaide-based alumna, Bennell-Pegg made history in 2024 when she graduated from the European Space Agency’s astronaut programme, becoming the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag. The highly competitive 12-month programme involved intensive physical and mental training, including learning Russian, underwater simulations of spacewalks, and exposure to low-pressure oxygen environments.
Following her astronaut qualification, Bennell-Pegg returned to Australia, where she now serves as Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency. Her certification means she could potentially become the first astronaut to fly as part of an Australian-led space mission.
Alongside her technical work, Bennell-Pegg is an active science communicator, regularly engaging with school students and industry leaders to promote interest in space, science, and technology.
Accepting the award, she reflected on her early fascination with space and acknowledged Australia’s long-standing relationship with the sky.
“Australia’s First Nations peoples’ deep connection to sky country reminds us that looking up has always been part of who we are,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi attack, honouring acts of courage shown during the tragedy, and spoke about the so-called overview effect — the shift in perspective astronauts experience when viewing Earth from orbit.
“You can’t see borders from up there, just a fragile shared home,” she said. “Space is not about escaping the Earth, but about helping us see it more clearly.”
In her speech, Bennell-Pegg encouraged Australians to re-engage with STEM education, stressing the importance of curiosity, inclusion, and opportunity for the country’s future.
“For Australia to contribute to solving the global challenges of the coming decades, we need every curious mind engaged — regardless of gender, background, or postcode.”
Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-25/australian-of-the-year-awards-2026/106267536
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