Two female veteran astronauts have shared their insights to inspire the next generation, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination in overcoming societal barriers and personal doubts to achieve success in space careers, especially for women. Responding to a media query on the growing role of women in space sector at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, Yi So-yeon, the first South Korean astronaut in space, stressed the importance of gender equality and diversity in space exploration. Julie Payette, the first Canadian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, shared her journey and advice for young women aspiring to space careers. Chinese astronauts Liu Yang, Wang Yangping and Wang Haoze have been working on China's space station, with more female space engineers supporting their efforts. The five-day 76th International Astronautical Congress opened in Sydney on Monday titled "Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth." The event serves as a global platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and innovation on space-based solutions for Earth and beyond. Shotlist: Sydney, Australia - Oct 3, 2025: FILE: In space - Aug 2022 1. Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe testing equipment in Wentian lab module; FILE: In Space - Nov 2021 2. Chinese astronauts Wang Yaping, Zhai Zhigang, Ye Guangfu working in space station; FILE: In Space - April 2025 3. Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, Wang Haoze performing experiments, tests; Sydney, Australia - Oct 3, 2025 4. Reporters at 76th International Astronautical Congress; 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Yi So-yeon, first South Korean astronaut in space (starting with shot 4/partially overlaid with shot 6/ending with shot 7): "Forget about your gender, but at the same time, remember your gender. Because it’s really, really important. Because we are all the same human kind, whatever gender you have and we have no limits to our capabilities and possibilities. As an engineer, I really want to see more females in the space field, especially among astronauts, because we don’t have enough medical data from female astronauts. When I try to share my data to the any researcher, it cannot be anonymous because the woman who flew in 2008 and her race is Asian, it cannot be anonymous without having a name, right? We need more diverse medical and healthcare data.” [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 6. Various of reporters taking notes, listening [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 7. Reporters; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Payette, first Canadian astronaut to board International Space Station (partially overlaid with shot 9): "I would say 'go for it, build your skills, go to school, bring everything, put everything in your basket, so that when the opportunity comes, then you might be ready to at least apply and call. When I was a little girl, I was watching American guys who were extraordinary aviators and test pilots walk on the moon, and they spoke a language that I did not understand -- English. Because I'm a girl from Canada and I had never been in an airplane and I didn't speak English. But they inspired me, and I thank to this day my family for encouraging me to pursue my dreams, even though at the time they were completely ridiculous." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Reporters; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: In Space - April 2025 10. China's Tiangong space station complex. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]