Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the 2026 Australian of the Year and the first person to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s own space program.

She’s an engineer, a space leader, and one of just a handful of people on the planet to complete astronaut training with the European Space Agency selected from more than 22,000 applicants.

In this chat with Helen Smith, Katherine unpacks what it really takes to become an astronaut, the invisible ways space technology shapes our everyday lives, and whether we’ve truly made progress for women in STEM.

Find Katherine on Insta @aussieastrokatherine

Weekend list with Dan Mullins
Listener Zoey TO WATCH: Australian Survivor
TO WATCH: Project Hail Mary 
TO DO: Walk 🚶🏼‍♂️
TO WATCH: The Magic Faraway Tree

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast 
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastListener

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aussieastrokatherine/">Katherine Bennell-Pegg</a> is the 2026 Australian of the Year and the first person to qualify as an astronaut under Australia&rsquo;s own space program.
She&rsquo;s an engineer, a space leader, and one of just a handful of people on the planet to complete astronaut training with the European Space Agency selected from more than 22,000 applicants.
In this chat with Helen Smith, Katherine unpacks what it really takes to become an astronaut, the invisible ways space technology shapes our everyday lives, and whether we&rsquo;ve truly made progress for women in STEM.
Find Katherine&nbsp;on Insta <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aussieastrokatherine/">@aussieastrokatherine</a>
Weekend list with Dan Mullins
<ul>
<li>Listener Zoey TO WATCH: Australian Survivor</li>
<li>TO WATCH: Project Hail Mary&nbsp;</li>
<li>TO DO: Walk 🚶🏼&zwj;♂️</li>
<li>TO WATCH: The Magic Faraway Tree</li>
</ul>
Follow The Briefing:&nbsp; TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thebriefingpod">@thebriefingpod</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebriefingpodcast/" aria-label="Link @thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;">@thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;</a> YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheBriefingPodcast">@TheBriefingPodcastListener</a>

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.

Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.

Know more in minutes.

Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.
Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.
Know more in minutes.
Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.