Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is an accomplished astronaut and the first Australian woman to qualify as an astronaut under the country's space program. At 41, she has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year for her groundbreaking achievements in space exploration and her role as director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency. Bennell-Pegg grew up dreaming of space travel and overcame significant barriers to pursue her ambitions, including studying aeronautical and space engineering and completing astronaut training in Germany. Her dedication to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers reinforces her commitment to promoting diversity in STEM fields.