Some exciting news for space lovers, with 2026 Australian of the Year and Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named to feature in this year’s Pacific Airshow.
The much-loved event will take over the skies of Surfers Paradise for three days of thrilling action from August 14.
Organisers have confirmed Bennell-Pegg will headline the Airshow’s student program, which is taking place on the Gold Coast for the first time following a huge response in Huntington Beach last year.
Local students will have the chance to meet Katherine, hear about her journey to becoming an astronaut, and to operate a model of Roo-ver, the Aussie-made rover going to the Moon in 2030.
It’s all part of an Australian Space Agency activation for Pacific Airshow’s NXTGN STEM LAB, an education experience built to open young eyes to the world of aviation, space, defence, engineering, science and technology.
PHOTO: Supplied | Credit Andy Roberts
Katherine said she’s excited to be bringing this year’s student event to life.
“Space is exciting, it’s awe-inspiring, it’s used by every single one of us every day, and it’s happening right here in Australia,” she said.
“The Pacific Airshow and NXTGN STEM LAB is an amazing opportunity to show how space benefits life on Earth and to excite young Australians about a future in STEM.”
“A love of space often sets young people on a path to a career as an engineer or scientist. Imagine how many future engineers and scientists may say in 20 or 30 years how Pacific Airshow and the NXTGN STEM LAB launched their STEM journey.”
Pacific Airshow Chief Operating Officer Sam Pearce said the program was designed to turn inspiration into real-world opportunity.
“This is exactly what NXTGN STEM LAB is all about: giving students a front-row seat to the people, technology and ideas shaping the future,” Mr Pearce said.
“We want every student who walks through NXTGN STEM LAB to leave thinking a little bigger about what their future could look like.”
For more information and to register for the student program, click here.
