Campbell Pegg has previously been responsible for the design of Fleet Space Technologies spacecraft, as well as holding senior positions at Optus and the Australian Space Agency.
Pegg will be based within the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), which sits within the state’s Defence SA department.
“Like many young Australians who grew up with stars in their eyes, I left Australia to pursue a space career overseas, but now there are incredible space jobs right here in South Australia,” said Campbell.
“I want South Australians to know they can work on cutting-edge space technology to solve our greatest global challenges right here at home.”
Campbell, who is the husband of Katherine Bennell-Pegg, has worked in five countries, including Germany and the US.
As head of spacecraft development at Fleet Space Technologies, he was responsible for the design, development and operational capability of the company’s pioneering spacecraft.
Previously, he was the program manager for the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative.
SASIC Chief Executive Matt Opie said Campbell’s strong background in the space sector and international experience would be an asset to the agency.
“His technical expertise in spacecraft engineering and passion for developing the Australian space sector makes him an ideal leader as we look to capitalise on new technologies while further establishing our industry and capabilities on the global stage,” said Opie.
Previous employer Fleet Space recently cemented its position as one of Australia’s most valuable space companies after it raised a further $150 million from investors in December last year.
The success has been fuelled by its ExoSphere satellites, which can help detect minerals underground from space. It effectively allows mining companies to both speed up the hunt for minerals and reduce costs by lowering the need for invasive land surveying.
Already, clients include Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, and Core Lithium.
SASIC, meanwhile, sits within the South Australian government department, Defence SA. It aims to provide a “whole-of-state-government focal point” for both local industry and international companies and organisations.

Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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