Baby Makena met the first Qualified Astronaut under the Australia's flag
J. C. Wanja NJUE
Aeronautical Engineer - QantasLink BEng Flight Vehicle Design & Eng., MSc Thermal Power - Gas Turbine Technology
It was an incredible experience for our four-month-old daughter {#thetinyastronaut} and me to meet Katherine Bennell-Pegg during this year's Sydney Science Festival as part of National Science Week.?
A heartfelt thank you to the Powerhouse Museum and 澳大利亚悉尼科技大学 for making this memorable encounter possible.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first qualified astronaut under the Australia's flag and Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency and a mum to two girls.?
As Australia's first flag-bearing astronaut, she stands as an inspiring role model for all young Australians, especially young girls.
It was incredible to learn that Katherine Bennell-Pegg started her career in the UK, earning an MSc at Cranfield University , where I also graduated from, and landing her first space job in the graduate program at Airbus Defence and Space .
Katherine Bennell-Pegg recently returned from Europe, where she graduated on 22 April 2024 alongside the European Space Agency - ESA class of 2022, #Hoppers - Dr Rosemary Coogan , Sophie Adenot , Rapha?l Liégeois ,Pablo lvarez Fernández, Marco Sieber
No other Australian has qualified as an astronaut under the Australian flag—while Andy Thomas , the boy from Adelaide who grew up to be an astronaut [3] and Sydney born [4] Paul Scully-Power traveled to space as U.S. citizens, Katherine Bennell-Pegg has paved a new path for Australians.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg 's journey was supported by the Australian Space Agency and the federal government, with her ESA training funded at a cost of $466,000 according to The Sydney Morning Herald [5].
Now eligible for missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Katherine has shared in past interviews, making it to space is just a small part of her role.
In an interview with Marty McCarthy , Katherine explained, “Astronauts are scientists, engineers, technicians, educators, science communicators, and ambassadors for their country on the world stage.?
They are utilized by their nations to further diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships, to raise the profile of what their country is doing at home, to showcase their country's ingenuity on the world stage, and to help reinvigorate trust in science and increase national pride.?
They excite people, especially young people, about opportunities in STEM and help build a future workforce.”
Katherine Bennell-Pegg 's achievements have unlocked new opportunities for Australia's national space ecosystem, bringing valuable knowledge, insights, and connections that will encourage global collaboration and spur innovation, investment, and economic growth within the country.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg's success is a powerful testament that becoming an Australian astronaut is indeed possible, and she is poised to accelerate opportunities for more Australians to engage in human space flight.
During the Sydney Science Festival 2024, Katherine also mentioned NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration 's Artemis program.
Which led me into my usual research launch ??????????.
NASA's Artemis missions aim to "land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon", explore the lunar surface, and lay the groundwork for sending astronauts to Mars [6].
Artemis I
Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight, was completed in late 2022, orbiting and flying beyond the Moon.
Space Launch System (SLS) is the only rocket that can send the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and supplies beyond Earth’s orbit to the Moon on a single mission.
Artemis II
Artemis II will be a crewed flight beyond the Moon, taking humans farther into space than ever before.
Artemis II will be the first flight with crew aboard NASA’s deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
During their mission, four astronauts will confirm all of the spacecraft’s systems operate as designed with people aboard in the actual environment of deep space, over the course of about a 10-day mission.
Artemis II four crew members - Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne astronaut Jeremy Hansen , and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman.
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NASA will now target September 2025 for Artemis II. The Artemis II flight test will pave the way to land the first woman and next man on the Moon on Artemis III.
Artemis III
Artemis III will be the first crewed Moon landing mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA will now target September 2026 for
NASA aims to land the first female astronaut and the first astronaut of color on the lunar surface. They will spend a week on the Moon conducting scientific studies before returning to Earth.
NASA will now target September 2026 Artemis III.
Artemis IV
Artemis IV will deliver a core part of a new lunar space station, named 'Gateway,' into orbit around the Moon and land another two astronauts on the Moon's surface.
Gateway is a small space station that will be a multi-purpose outpost supporting lunar surface missions, science in lunar orbit, and human exploration further into the cosmos [13].
NASA is working with commercial and international partners to build humanity's Gateway - CSA , ESA, JAXA, and MBRSC [13] - Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne ,
European Space Agency - ESA , JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Gateway will help NASA and its partners test the technologies and capabilities required for a sustained human presence in deep space, and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars [14].
Artemis V
Artemis V will add another important module to Gateway and involve a third crewed lunar landing to conduct further surface science.
Astronauts from Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates will fly on Artemis missions to Gateway.
The Team Artemis Australia Interactive resource [15] by Australian Space Agency shows how Australian capabilities align with NASA’s Artemis Program and Moon to Mars strategy.
Team Artemis Australia was created by the Australian Space Agency to support and strengthen the nation’s technical and engagement activities on a global scale. It’s a platform that places a global spotlight on Australia’s world leading, unique and specialised capabilities that can contribute to NASA’s Artemis and other Moon and Mars programs. Australian Space Agency has identified the capabilities that can best facilitate international collaboration based on NASA’s Artemis Program design and planning [15]. Some case studies include The Space Automation, AI and Robotics Complex (SpAARC), The Boreas X90, Plants for Space (P4S) and Martian Analogues.
As the Artemis program progresses, Australia's contributions will help ensure that humanity takes its next giant leap into the cosmos, expanding our presence beyond Earth and opening new frontiers for exploration and discovery.
This involvement is not just about technology and infrastructure; it is also opening up a wide range of professional opportunities for Australians.
From engineers and scientists working on space systems to data analysts, mission planners, and even astronauts., the nation's role in space exploration is growing.
These opportunities are enabling Australians to directly participate in and contribute to humanity's bold venture into deep space, including the possibility of seeing Australian astronauts embark on missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
To our little girl - my thoughts remain in Katherine's own words,
“I would say to a lot of young girls out there that this is absolutely a career you can pursue.?
Being in a male-dominated field, or any field where you're a minority, is something that you can pursue.?
If that's something you want to do, you should do it without hesitation.”
Meeting Katherine Bennell-Pegg in person was a surreal moment, and her achievements continue to inspire us all to dream big and believe in the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
REFERENCE
Project Management -AVIC International Holding Corporation
6 个月This is so amazing to read ???????????? Go! Go! Go woman in STEM ???? Baby Makena is definitely going to take over this space very soon, and she shall innovate for Kenya our first space vessels God willing
Australian Astronaut
6 个月It was lovely to meet you and your beautiful daughter. Her future is bright. Thank you for your support!
Strategy & Smart Operations Leader (Industry 4.0)
6 个月Baby Makena is having the best space moments yet , exploring Aero museums and meeting legends ??
DASR part 145/21G Responsible Manager (RM)@Airbus in Australia. Base Maintenance, Richmond NSW.
6 个月So proud. ??????#thetinyastronaut ??#bestmummoments