South Australia’s growing space sector was showcased across the Eyre Peninsula last week through a four-day regional engagement program connecting students, educators and local communities with career pathways in space and STEM.

Led by the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) and Southern Launch, alongside Australian astronaut and Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the roadshow combined industry engagement, school outreach and community events to highlight the region’s contribution to Australia’s growing space sector.

A bottle rocket launch activity with students was a highlight of the roadshow and set the tone for a week of hands-on engagement.

Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell‑Pegg highlighted the state’s role in the national space ecosystem.

“South Australia is already part of Australia’s space story, with local capability helping to shape Australia’s future in space,” Ms Bennell-Pegg said.

A key event was the UniHub Career Roadshow on Tuesday 2 June at the Port Lincoln Racing Club, which attracted more than 1100 attendees including students, teachers, parents and industry representatives.

More than 80 exhibitors participated, including organisations representing space, defence and engineering pathways. Students explored hands-on exhibits and spoke directly with organisations including Southern Launch, Uni Hub Spencer Gulf, CSIRO, Adelaide University, Flight One School of Engineering, Flinders University and TAFE SA.

Students from Years 9-12 engaged directly with exhibitors, gaining insight into study and career pathways across science, technology and engineering. The event reinforced South Australia’s focus on building a skilled workforce to support emerging industries.

“South Australia is already part of Australia’s space story, with local capability helping to shape Australia’s future in space,” Ms Bennell-Pegg said.

“The Eyre Peninsula is not on the sidelines of this, it’s a launchpad. Whether it’s through science, technology, trades or innovation, there are real opportunities for young people here to be part of something global.”

A highlight for many students was hearing directly from Ms Bennell‑Pegg, who shared her journey from engineering to working with international space agencies and becoming the first person to graduate basic astronaut training under the Australian flag. Her story helped students connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, highlighting persistence, problem-solving and long-term career planning.

School visits continued across the region, with interactive sessions delivered to primary and secondary students exploring science, technology and innovation beyond the classroom.

Visits included connecting with students from Koonibba Aboriginal School, Lincoln Gardens Primary School, Ceduna Area School and Penong Primary School, with additional participation from students in Cleve, Cummins and Cowell.

Students enthusiastically explored topics ranging from black holes and life as an astronaut, to future space missions to the Moon and Mars.

“If you’re curious about how things work, if you want to solve problems, if you want to make a difference – there is a place for you in space,” Ms Bennell-Pegg said.

A community reception event hosted by the Australia Day Council of SA at the Nautilus Arts Centre on Wednesday 3 June brought together more than 200 attendees including local leaders, educators and STEM advocates to discuss the region’s role in the growing space sector.

Attendees also learned how space technologies underpin everyday services such as GPS navigation, communications, weather forecasting and emergency management.

Southern Launch Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Damp said the roadshow highlighted the significant opportunities emerging across regional South Australia.

“We are so proud that Katherine is able to visit the region and inspire the next generation with her incredible story,” Mr Damp said.

“Young people living in the Eyre Peninsula and Far West Coast will be able to find a career in space right on their doorstep. We are excited to share the variety of careers available for people to pursue and showcase the benefits this emerging industry will bring to the region.”

The program also included visits to the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex near Port Lincoln and Koonibba Test Range on the Far West Coast for site tours and briefings into operations at the state’s two spaceport facilities.

Operated by Southern Launch, the sites support orbital launch, sub-orbital missions, orbital re-entry and comprehensive range services, helping position South Australia as a leading destination for space launch and return capability in Australia.

More than 100 space industry companies now operate across South Australia, the highest concentration in the nation, spanning satellite manufacturing, launch and re-entry services, research, advanced manufacturing and defence applications.

Community participation throughout the roadshow demonstrated strong interest in space and STEM across the region and reinforced the role regional South Australia will play in developing the workforce needed to support the state’s growing space sector.

For more information about a career in South Australia’s space industry visit www.FindYourPlaceSA.com.