World · East Asia & Pacific · 24 mins ago
Australia offers astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for 2028 space mission
Australia has offered astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg a place on a 2028 mission to the International Space Station.
The offer was sent to the European Space Agency, which would need to arrange a suitable flight.
Bennell-Pegg, who is the Australian of the Year, completed astronaut training with the European agency in 2024.
Although other Australian-born people have travelled to space, they flew as US citizens, so this would be the first flight by a qualified astronaut under the Australian flag.
More than $6 million in cash has been pledged, alongside other support, but the mission is a significant expense and the government has sought contributions from private donors and state governments.
Supporters say the flight could inspire young people to study science and technology, while a professor has questioned whether the potential benefits justify a cost that could reach $100 million.
The offer is now with the European agency, and the mission is slated for 2028.
Australia has submitted a final offer to the European Space Agency to send Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station in 2028.
If accepted, she would be the first qualified astronaut to fly to space formally representing Australia.
Bennell-Pegg completed astronaut training with the European Space Agency in 2024.
The government says it is seeking support from private-sector backers, philanthropists and other levels of government to help fund the mission.
The mission’s reported cost is $100 million, while the federal government has not disclosed how much it has committed.
- Who
- The Australian government has made the offer for astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg to fly.
- What
- The offer is for her to join a future International Space Station mission.
- When
- The mission is slated for 2028. The offer was announced on Friday, 23 October 2026.
- Where
- The International Space Station.
- Why
- The government says it wants an Australian astronaut to fly representing Australia. It is also seeking funding support for the mission.
Federal government
Richard de Grijs
Mission value
Federal government
The government has submitted an offer and is seeking support to fund the flight, describing it as an important opportunity that requires careful fiscal management.
Richard de Grijs
De Grijs said the mission’s inspirational value should be weighed against whether it is worth $100 million.
Bennell-Pegg completed astronaut training with the European Space Agency.
The Australian Space Agency said it had entered treaty-level discussions with the European Space Agency.
Federal ministers wrote to state and territory leaders asking them to partner in funding the mission.
The federal government announced it had submitted its final offer to the European Space Agency.
A government spokesperson said a response to the bid was expected.
- Mission year
- 2028
- Destination
- International Space Station
- Astronaut
- Katherine Bennell-Pegg
- Training completed
- 2024, with the European Space Agency
- Reported mission cost
- $100 million
- Philanthropic commitments
- Over $6 million in cash, plus in-kind support
3 sources
What people are saying
We have submitted a final bid to our friends in the European Space Agency
We are grateful to the philanthropists who have committed over $6m in cash, plus in-kind support, and some indicative support from some state governments.
She is qualified, she has undergone significant training, so she is set to go up if a suitable mission can be found.
There is an inspirational value in sending a citizen from your country to space who is also the Australian of the Year … but the question is, is that worth $100m?