Whether you wish your office was in outer space or the skies above Australia, every science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) journey starts with a single step.
The power of STEM was on full display as Group Captain Katherine Bennell-Pegg took flight with the Air Force Roulettes on October 21.
Group Captain Bennell-Pegg is Australia’s first female astronaut and the 2026 Australian of the Year. She recently swapped the space suit for a flying suit after accepting an invitation from Roulette Three Flight Lieutenant Kendall ‘Nugget’ Dransfield to experience high-performance flying and how the Roulettes work as a team.
By continuing her work with Air Force, Group Captain Bennell-Pegg remains match fit for space and is progressing her space-related capabilities by being immersed in one of the highest-performing parts of the Australian Defence Force, the Roulettes.
While the job title of an astronaut or a pilot is impressive, it is the hard work and dedication required to achieve this career that is the true feat.
Group Captain Bennell-Pegg spoke with students at RAAF Base East Sale about her journey, what it takes to be an astronaut, and the similarities of working in high-performance environments and complex situations, emphasising the positive impact STEM had in establishing her career.
“STEM has been absolutely critical to my journey to become an astronaut,” Group Captain Bennell-Pegg said.
“At school, science and maths (technical subjects) give you the tools that you need to be empowered to solve problems you care about, to make discoveries that excite you and to be at the forefront of human performance.
“STEM is for everybody. STEM is not something that is elite, it is something that enables you to participate in solving the problem.”
‘No one goes to space alone and no one goes into the air alone. Just like space, aviation is the ultimate team sport.’
For Flight Lieutenant Dransfield, the opportunity to fly with Group Captain Bennell-Pegg reinforced his passion for aviation and STEM’s role in his work.
“To go flying with Group Captain Bennell-Pegg is such an honour and it’s a real privilege to fly with someone I look up to and admire,” Flight Lieutenant Dransfield said.
“I feel really lucky that I get to showcase what the Air Force Roulettes can do.”
Both Group Captain Bennell-Pegg and Flight Lieutenant Dransfield are at the pinnacle of their fields. This is thanks to their ongoing passion for STEM and the understanding that it takes a team to achieve the great outcomes they seek.
“No one goes to space alone and no one goes into the air alone. Just like space, aviation is the ultimate team sport,” Group Captain Bennell-Pegg said.
Both aviators were quick to recognise that individual achievement is only possible through the collective effort of a dedicated team.
They spoke highly of the personnel who enable them to perform at their best, from the staff checking identification at the gate to administration personnel, technicians, doctors and life-support specialists. Each role is critical to mission success and each plays an essential part in allowing Air Force to push the limits of performance and excellence.
