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Special guest dazzles aspiring astronauts at Space Day Out

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • The Australian Space Agency launched its inaugural "Space Day Out" event in Adelaide.
  • The event aimed to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM and space exploration.
  • Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg was a special guest, engaging with aspiring young astronauts.

Australia's Space Week kicked off with a new event designed to ignite passion for space exploration among young Australians.

The inaugural "Space Day Out," held at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide, drew approximately 2,000 attendees. The event provided a unique opportunity for many, especially children, to meet Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who was the special guest.

It was just so exciting. I'm really, really, really into space. Like, super. I have space Lego, space pictures … I think it's awesome. I really want to be the first person to go to Mars and Pluto.

— Chase IannuzziA young attendee expressing his passion for space exploration.

Young attendees like nine-year-old Chase Iannuzzi expressed immense excitement. "It was just so exciting," Chase said. "I'm really, really, really into space. Like, super. I have space Lego, space pictures … I think it's awesome. I really want to be the first person to go to Mars and Pluto."

Alice, another aspiring astronaut, shared her lifelong dream of space travel. "When I grow up I want to be an astronaut," she stated. "I have since I was three. My biggest dream is going to space and walking on the moon." She even had a chance to interact with Ms. Bennell-Pegg about her astronaut costume.

When I grow up I want to be an astronaut. I have since I was three. My biggest dream is going to space and walking on the moon.

— AliceA young attendee sharing her lifelong ambition to become an astronaut.

Ms. Bennell-Pegg emphasized the critical need to inspire youth in STEM fields, noting declining enrollments in physics and advanced mathematics in Australia. "Right now in Australia, we're leaving too much talent on the launch pad," she warned. She highlighted space as a powerful tool to engage young people with science and mathematics, providing a compelling goal that can drive them through challenging subjects and open doors to diverse STEM careers.

Her current focus is on connecting with young people and fostering excitement about space, while also maintaining her readiness for future space missions. Ms. Bennell-Pegg also spoke about the potential benefits of Australia's collaboration with the European Space Agency for the nation's scientists, engineers, and future workforce.

Right now in Australia, we're leaving too much talent on the launch pad.

— Katherine Bennell-PeggHighlighting the need to engage more young people in STEM fields.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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