Space as a tool for disaster management
Australia’s future in space is being framed not as a distant dream but as a practical instrument for protecting communities. Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the Australian Space Agency’s director of space technology and Australia’s first female astronaut, argues that studying space helps identify and mitigate natural hazards here on Earth. She notes that the space sector, working in concert with the Australian Defence Force and other government agencies, can enhance capabilities to spot bushfires early, monitor floods, track algal blooms in lakes such as those in South Australia, and manage remote industries where access is limited by terrain or weather.
Her message come as Sydney prepares to host a major space conference, highlighting how space-connected disciplines are not just about exploration but about practical, day-to-day resilience. Bennell-Pegg emphasizes that space research can feed back into national planning—turning satellite data into timely alerts, improved emergency response, and better resource allocation during disasters.
From engineering intern to a national mission
Bennell-Pegg’s journey began two decades ago as an engineering intern at the Richmond base in Sydney’s north-west, working on the C-130 Hercules aircraft. That early exposure to Australia’s aerospace infrastructure helped shape her view of defence and science as intertwined paths. After completing training with the European Space Agency, she returned to Australia ready to lead space technology initiatives that connect the dots between space science and terrestrial safety.
She describes the experience of donning both her blue flight suit and her green flying suit as a powerful reminder of the dual roles many Australians play: engineers and explorers who contribute to national security while expanding the country’s knowledge frontiers. When she speaks about space, she speaks about a national toolkit—one that helps communities, economies, and ecosystems become more resilient to climate-driven hazards.
Growing Australia’s space workforce
Beyond the rhetoric, Bennell-Pegg argues for a holistic approach to workforce development. The space industry, she says, is not just about engineers and scientists; it’s about a full ecosystem that includes technicians, data analysts, educators, tradespeople, and policymakers. “Almost any job in life that you put ‘space’ in front of, there’s a space job,” she notes, underscoring how space literacy can permeate many sectors and occupations.
The broader objective is clear: to triple the international space market in the coming decade. That growth isn’t merely about launching satellites; it’s about building the infrastructure, skills, and governance that enable space-derived insights to inform national planning and response. Bennell-Pegg stresses the need for diverse thinking and participation, arguing that bringing more women and underrepresented groups into space-related roles strengthens problem-solving and discovery across all fields.
A shared heritage and a forward-looking mission
Australia has a long and proud history in space. Bennell-Pegg speaks of the nation’s roots—from First Nations astronomers who observed the skies for generations to the era when rockets launched from the red dust of Woomera. This heritage, she says, anchors a modern mission: to cultivate a world-class space workforce that benefits Australians on Earth by improving public safety, environmental monitoring, and national resilience.
Women in space and the value of inclusion
She makes a case for more women in space roles, framing space exploration as both a medical and scientific test bed that can yield direct benefits for women and men on Earth. More diverse participation leads to better research questions, broader perspectives, and more robust solutions to climate and disaster challenges.
Looking ahead
With the global space sector poised for significant expansion, Bennell-Pegg’s leadership aims to position Australia as a practical user of space science—an economy that uses space outputs to protect communities, manage natural resources, and sustain remote industries. Her optimism is tempered with pragmatism: the next decade will require sustained investment, collaboration across government and industry, and a continued emphasis on education and inclusion. If space truly becomes a weapon for climate resilience, Bennell-Pegg believes, Australia will be better prepared to face a future where bushfires, floods, and other hazards remain persistent realities.
