Media releases

A Federation University Australia student is one step closer to realising her dream of becoming an astronaut as she prepares to attend an immersive overseas training program with the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences.

Celene Meraz Benavente will head to Florida in September for the Scientist Astronaut Program that will prepare her to take part in future sub-orbital missions with Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere).

In a week of intensive training, Celene will learn practical skills through exercises like parabolic flights, where passengers experience low gravity, and hypoxic training, where participants experience low oxygen levels.

A second-year physiotherapy student at Federation’s Gippsland campus, the training program will also support Celene to be involved in research that enables tomorrow’s future space missions.

Celene moved to Australia from the US in 2015 and was recruited by the Melbourne Space Program in 2019.

Celene has been supported to undertake the September training through the Federation University Australia Foundation’s Meredith Doig scholarship, as well as by other sponsors.

Quotes attributable to Federation University student Celene Meraz Benavente

“It’s really exciting to be taking part in this immersive astronaut training program. In terms of my dream of getting to space, this is getting quite close.”

“I’m really looking forward to the hypoxia training and going on an aircraft where we will experience different gravity environments.”

“This program is actually quite relatable to physiotherapy including learning about space physiology and how the body is affected under microgravity environments, so I’m excited to explore that crossover.”

“I’m grateful for all the opportunities and support I’ve received in this adventure, enabling me to learn and make a difference.”

Quotes attributable to Federation University Gippsland Interim Head of Campus, Professor Andrew O’Loughlin

“We are very excited for Celene as she embarks on her journey to the United States for her training program with the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences.”

“Federation University is committed to helping our students achieve their ambitions, and thanks to the generosity of our scholarship donors, Celene is one step closer to realising her personal dream of becoming an astronaut.”