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2mo ago

ESA Offers Australia a Seat for Its First Astronaut on the International Space Station

The mission's fate rests on a government decision to commit major funding drawn from public coffers, industry sponsors, philanthropic donors.

Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg has already overcome so much as the nation’s first female astronaut, but there’s still one thing standing in the way of achieving her goal of getting to space.
An astronaut with a globe of the earth.
The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Overview

  • The European Space Agency told the Australian government on Monday that Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been offered a place on a future mission to the International Space Station.
  • Australian officials have praised Bennell-Pegg but say formal participation requires intergovernmental agreements that are still under negotiation.
  • Experts and university space leaders estimate a partnership of this kind could require about AUD100 million to cover flight, research and program costs.
  • Community crowdfunding, early industry pledges and philanthropic donations have started to grow as organisers urge a mixed funding model while awaiting a government decision.
  • Bennell-Pegg, named 2026 Australian of the Year, is using her profile to run regional STEM outreach and supporters say a mission would boost Australian science, industry access and long-term space-sector jobs.