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Katherine Bennell-Pegg Named Australia's First Astronaut of the Year

1/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Katherine Bennell-Pegg wins the 2026 Australian of the Year as the first Australian astronaut candidate.
The 41-year-old Bennell-Pegg graduated from Basic Astronaut Training in 2024 after selection from more than 22,500 applicants.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented the awards and honored Henry Brodaty, Nedd Brockmann, and Frank Mitchell for dementia research, homelessness fundraising, and Indigenous employment in construction.
Bennell-Pegg promotes Australia’s space program and aims to inspire future generations.

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Story summary

Katherine Bennell-Pegg wins the 2026 Australian of the Year as the first Australian astronaut candidate.
The 41-year-old Bennell-Pegg graduated from Basic Astronaut Training in 2024 after selection from more than 22,500 applicants.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented the awards and honored Henry Brodaty, Nedd Brockmann, and Frank Mitchell for dementia research, homelessness fundraising, and Indigenous employment in construction.
Bennell-Pegg promotes Australia’s space program and aims to inspire future generations.