53fac84f8eb7360ea22d1749b25d7d4bba814d23 16x9 x0y0w2000h1125

Australia’s first flagged astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg awaits International Space Station call-up

Posted by


Things can go wrong in space.

If an astronaut has to perform CPR on the International Space Station, in a zero gravity environment, how would they not just eject themselves off the patient instead of being able to perform compressions?

They put their feet to the roof, and use it to steady themselves. After all, there’s no upside down.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Download today

It’s the sort of skill Katherine Bennell-Pegg has learned.

“So I just graduated as an astronaut…better yet, an Australian astronaut who gets to wear this flag on the shoulder, representing all of the ingenuity back home,” the 39-year-old told 7NEWS, in her first interview since completing her training.

It’s the Australian flag on her shoulder. It’s new ground for Katherine and Australia.

Bennell-Pegg started training with the European Space Agency in Germany in April 2023 and was one of six astronauts who graduated from the program this year. She becomes the first to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag.

“I’m so excited for the future, not just for me, but for what this can do for Australia’s ability to access space and all of the potential that comes with that,” she said.

Bennell-Pegg training to do CPR with zero gravity on a parabolic flight.Bennell-Pegg training to do CPR with zero gravity on a parabolic flight.
Bennell-Pegg training to do CPR with zero gravity on a parabolic flight. Credit: Supplied

Katherine has been backed by the six-year-old Australian Space Agency which is leading the burgeoning but infant space industry surrounding its Adelaide HQ.

It’s where people like 22-year-old Hayley Nitschke and Sophie Hagley, 24, hope to one day be.

Sophie completed a Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics double degree at the Australian National University but has ended up at Airbus’s Defence and Space Centre at Stevenage outside London to actually put it to use. She helps design spacecraft.

Katherine started her career at Airbus too.

“Obviously for us, we’re beginning our careers and we see her and think, ‘That’s amazing’. We’ve worked at the same company. She’s now an astronaut. But I also think, for the whole of Australia, she’s going to be a massive role model,” Sophie said.

Sophie Hagley (left) and Hayley Nitschke (right).Sophie Hagley (left) and Hayley Nitschke (right).
Sophie Hagley (left) and Hayley Nitschke (right). Credit: Supplied

Sophie’s housemate Hayley is an RMIT graduate and hopes Katherine’s journey into space means they all find space jobs at home.

“It’s just a matter of time…getting more funding, being able to do the coolest new stuff and then eventually hopefully some of the bigger space industry companies may be moving to Australia to help support and develop, that would be ideal,” Hayley said.

For Katherine, it’s not just about fulfilling her childhood dream of being an astronaut, it’s about making sure Australia can make the most of renewed interest in getting humans back on the moon and going beyond.

“It’s about going to the moon to stay there and do very good science up there that we’ve never done before. To learn about the earth and its climate, to learn about our origins, and to understand how humanity can continue to push that frontier,” she said.

“I left Australia for many years after university because I didn’t believe I’d have the chance to do what I want to do, in our country, that has totally changed they can have a space career without leaving their state.

“It’s often said the first person on Mars is in a classroom today – and that may be an Australian classroom.”

7NEWS Europe Bureau Chief Hugh Whitfeld from Stevenage, England.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *