Join us for an inspiring conversation with two astronauts.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear firsthand from astronauts Dr Shannon Walker and Katherine Bennell‑Pegg in an exclusive in-person event.
In this hour-long discussion, Shannon and Katherine will share their extraordinary journeys in the space sector. They will reflect on the lessons learned on the path to becoming astronauts and their vision for the future of human spaceflight.
Their conversation will delve into:
- The challenges and triumphs of astronaut training and missions.
- Personal and professional insights gained along the way.
- The evolving opportunities for the next generation of explorers.
Organised by Andy Thomas Space Foundation, in partnership with Adelaide University, the event will be hosted by Seven News presenter, Mike Smithson.
Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with two trailblazers shaping the future of space exploration.
What's happening:
An exclusive in-person event with astronauts Dr Shannon Walker and Katherine Bennell‑Pegg
When:
Tuesday 20 January
What time:
5.30 - 7.30 pm Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT)
Location:
The Braggs, Adelaide University
Share some space with two astronauts
Don’t miss this rare opportunity on 20 January to engage with Dr Shannon Walker and Katherine Bennell‑Pegg in an exclusive in-person event.
Dr Shannon Walker
Sharon has worked in various capacities in the Mission Control Center at the NASA Johnson Space Center prior to being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004.
Her first space flight was in 2010 that took her to the International Space Station (ISS), where she served as Flight Engineer for a mission lasting 163 days. In 2020, she flew her second mission to the ISS on the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle. On this 167-day mission, she served as a Flight Engineer and Space Station Commander. On this same mission, Sharon took with her to space Purra, a toy kangaroo
Most recently she served as Deputy Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office prior to her retirement from NASA in 2025.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg
The 2026 Australian of the Year for South Australia, Katherine, is the first astronaut to officially represent Australia, and the first Australian woman to receive professional astronaut wings.
Following her graduation from the European Space Agency astronaut training in 2024, as part of the ‘Hoppers’ class, she became qualified to represent Australia in space on missions to the ISS and the Moon.
She is a Director at the Australian Space Agency, a reservist Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force, and a space engineer who has worked around the globe on human spaceflight, space exploration, and space robotics as well as earth science missions and technologies.
Australians in space
Since 1967, Australians have been involved in various roles to go to space.
