Journeys Beyond: An insight into life as an Astronaut and the Future of Space
Description
Join the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Adelaide University for an inspiring one‑hour discussion and Q&A with NASA Astronaut Dr Shannon Walker and Australian Astronaut Katherine Bennell‑Pegg as they share their remarkable journeys in the space sector, hosted by Seven News presenter, Mike Smithson.
Together, they will reflect on the lessons learned along the path to becoming astronauts, the unique experiences of living and working beyond Earth, and their hopes for the future of human spaceflight.
This conversation will explore the challenges and triumphs of astronaut training and missions, the personal and professional insights gained along the way, and the evolving opportunities for the next generation of explorers.
With audience Q&A, participants will have the chance to engage directly with two trailblazers shaping the future of space exploration.
Event Summary
📅 Tuesday 20th January 2026
🕔 5:30-7:30pm
📍 The Braggs, Adelaide University and online available
🎟️ FREE to attend
❓If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch via contactus@andythomas.foundation
Lineup
Dr Shannon Walker
Dr. Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in physics, as well as Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Space Physics, from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She worked in various capacities in the Mission Control Center at the NASA Johnson Space Center prior to being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004. Her first space flight was in 2010, launching as the cosmonaut pilot of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft that took her to the International Space Station (ISS) where she served as Flight Engineer for Expeditions 24 and 25, in a mission lasting 163 days. In November 2020, she flew her second mission to the ISS launching with Crew-1 on the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle. She served as Flight Engineer on the ISS during Expedition 64 and was the Space Station Commander for part of Expedition 65. This mission totalled 167 days. Most recently she served as Deputy Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office prior to her retirement from NASA in 2025. She is married to Adelaide-born astronaut, Andy Thomas and resides in Houston, Texas.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg
The 2026 Australian of the Year for South Australia, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, is the first astronaut to officially represent Australia, and the first Australian woman to receive professional astronaut wings. Following her graduation from the European Space Agency astronaut training in 2024 as part of the ‘Hoppers’ class, she became qualified to represent Australia in space on missions to the International Space Station and the Moon. She is a Director at the Australian Space Agency, a reservist Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force, and a space engineer who has worked around the globe on human spaceflight, exploration, space robotics and earth science missions and technologies. Katherine lives in Adelaide with her husband and 2 young daughters.
Mike Smithson
Mike Smithson has been a journalist for 46 years and a specialist political reporter and analyst for well over two decades. He started as a newspaper cadet before launching into a television journalism career with Channel 7 Adelaide. He was also employed as senior police reporter with Channel 7 Melbourne, was bureau chief for a national current affairs program and was the Seven Network’s European correspondent for two years. He now writes a weekly column for InDaily. He’s been a regular fill radio presenter and provides weekly commentary on ABC radio and FiveAA. Mike is currently 7’s weekend news presenter. His achievements include SA Journalist of the Year, Best Broadcaster and Best Columnist awards.
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