Australia’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, recently made a bold statement, suggesting that there are definitely extraterrestrial beings in the vast expanse of the universe. According to a report from news.com.au, the 39-year-old Bennell-Pegg shared her insights at the South by Southwest conference in Sydney.
During the conference, she addressed various questions from the audience regarding the universe, including the age-old inquiry that has been pondered since the time of Galileo – is there life on other planets? With a smile, she confidently stated, “There are definitely extraterrestrial beings.”
Bennell-Pegg pointed out that scientists estimate there are as many as 2 sextillion stars in the universe, a number equivalent to the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. She emphasized that all the components necessary for life, the molecules and elements we need, are abundantly present in the universe.
She highlighted the ongoing efforts of scientists using space telescopes to observe exoplanets. Over the past six years alone, nearly 6,000 exoplanets have been discovered, many of which orbit other stars and some are located in potentially habitable zones. Bennell-Pegg believes that life likely exists in those regions.
Addressing the possibility of communication with extraterrestrial beings, she mused, “It’s intriguing to think about whether we can communicate with them. Who knows?”
In the vastness of the universe, Bennell-Pegg expressed her curiosity about the probability of finding extraterrestrial life that may be relatively close to Earth. She stressed her interest in seeking evidence of extraterrestrial life within our solar system, including ongoing exploration on Mars and the upcoming mission to Jupiter’s moon with believed liquid water under its icy crust.
The recent launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will explore Jupiter’s moon Europa for potential signs of life. Bennell-Pegg noted, “Investigating whether this life shares the same or different origins with us will be very intriguing, indicating the potential richness of life in the universe.”
She underlined the practical implications of astrobiological research on extraterrestrial life, saying this field can shed light on how life evolves to become more adaptive.
Reflecting on her first experience in space, Bennell-Pegg expressed fulfillment in realizing her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. She elaborated on the challenges of dining in space, mentioning the restrictions on consuming foods that generate crumbs due to the lack of gravity.
In terms of her space cravings, she admitted a preference for spicy and flavorful foods, with Vegemite spread being one of her favorites from Australia. When asked about the most daunting aspect of space travel, Bennell-Pegg shared that spacewalks are one of the top concerns for astronauts, as they ponder the safety of their loved ones back on Earth.
Moreover, the issue of space debris poses a significant threat, as even a small piece of space junk could have catastrophic consequences if it were to collide with astronauts during a spacewalk.
Bennell-Pegg graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 and underwent astronaut training with the European Space Agency in 2023. She attained the qualification to embark on missions to the International Space Station and currently works at the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide. She holds the distinction of being Australia’s first female astronaut to venture into space.