by Australia’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, graduated from the European Space Agency (ESA) training program on Monday night.
She may not be taking a big leap into space anytime soon, but she’s on a mission to strengthen the space industry and inspire women and girls.
Bennell-Pegg, the Australian Space Agency’s (ASA) director of space technology, initially lost out on a coveted place in ESA’s astronaut training program, but the Europeans were keen to offer her the job, which was paid for by the Australian government. off.
ASA paid $466,000 to spend eight years at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany.
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This helped her become not only the first female Australian astronaut, but the first person to become a qualified astronaut under the Australian flag. Dr. Andy Thomas and Paul Scully Power both went to space as US citizens.
Bennell-Pegg received centrifuge, survival and medical training, experienced weightlessness through parabolic flights, and learned about space systems engineering and robotics and scientific experiments.
Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo said her training had “opened doors” and she would return “with knowledge, insights and connections”.
“Getting people into space is about more than just exploring. It allows us to do unique science, unlocks knowledge and develops technology that benefits life on earth – from new medicines and health breakthroughs to how we grow food and conserve water,” he said.
Bennell-Pegg said it was “an honor to be the first”. “And I am determined not to be the last,” she said.
“Graduating as an astronaut with the Australian flag on my shoulder reflects the hard work, innovation and ambition of everyone at home: a growing industry of scientists, engineers, educators and more.”
She also mentioned the opportunities to “advance our nation’s science and technology … and to raise the level of aspirations for the next generation”.
“I hope that my training and whatever comes next will help pave the way for more Australians to get involved in human spaceflight,” she said.
The spending has prompted some questions about how much Australia is getting in return for that money and the selection process.
The industry and science department, which oversees the space agency, said Bennell-Pegg would be eligible for assignment to the International Space Station (ISS) after she graduated on Monday night.
However, Bennell-Pegg is not one of the five astronauts ESA plans to send to the ISS. It means she would have to go private unless a country with a human spaceflight program decided to send her.
A private launch of the ISS would cost about $55m, almost double the Australian Space Agency’s annual budget of $34.2m.
According to the agency, Bennell-Pegg made a private request when the ESA announced the intake of a candidate astronaut in early 2021.
ESA announced in November 2022 that it had selected 17 candidates from more than 22,500 applicants – five astronaut candidates and 12 reserve astronauts. Bennell-Pegg was not one of the 17. Then he offered her the paid job.
The department and agency have highlighted the expertise Bennell-Pegg would bring back to Australia from her ESA training, her role in advancing science and the space industry as well as encouraging young people and girls and strengthening European/Australian relations.
Greens senator David Shoebridge has asked questions about the government’s plans.
In questions about an announcement he asked the minister for industry and science, Ed Husic, whether the government was considering establishing a human space flight program or whether it was considering funding a seat on a private astronaut mission, and how much it would cost. that.
“Given that the job of astronaut is an extremely high-profile and highly competitive public sector employee position, does the agency have any plans to hold a selection process for ‘Australia’s official astronaut’ that will be open to all citizens , not just for those who are dual citizens? other nations with their own spaceflight programs?” he asked a question in the senate on notice.
Bennell-Pegg is a dual UK citizen, and the UK Space Agency is working with Axiom Space on a UK human space mission.
In March this year, Australia sent a space delegation to Axiom Space, which offers private astronaut missions to the ISS. In 2018, Axiom said 15 weeks of training and a 10-day mission to the ISS cost $55m.
The Australian Space Agency said it was not planning to establish a human space flight program or considering a private astronaut mission, and that ESA had specifically offered the spot to Bennell-Pegg.
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The Australian Space Agency said the training was “a great opportunity to promote stem education and careers in Australia, particularly for women”; to gain insights into spaceflight and space-based technology; and to help Australian industry and researchers collaborate with the ESA.
“Ms Bennell-Pegg will return to the Australian Space Agency with insights and expertise, including on space launch and returns, industry collaboration and supply chains, and Stem workforce development for space-related applications,” he said in a statement.
Jeremy Hallett, executive chairman of the Australian Space Industry Association, said he would like to see Bennell-Pegg flying in the short term. He also wanted Australia to have a human space flight program in the long term.
“[Her graduation] significant for space in Australia, but I would say it’s just the beginning – her journey won’t be complete until she’s in space,” he said.
“She will have a lot that she can bring back to Australia in terms of outreach.”
