Government counters ESA offer for Bennell-Pegg space flight
The Commonwealth has not revealed its proposed financial contribution, with a response from the European Space Agency expected by the end of 2026.
By Quang Dinh
Australia has made its final counteroffer for a mission that would take Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the Australian of the Year, to the International Space Station, Science Minister Tim Ayres said on 23 October 2026.
The European Space Agency (ESA) proposed a seat for Bennell-Pegg at the start of 2026, reportedly priced at A$100 million. The Commonwealth has not disclosed how much it is offering. Ayres said the opportunity required careful consideration of fiscal pressures.
A government spokesperson said an answer was expected before the end of 2026. An agreement would mean Bennell-Pegg undertaking additional training in Cologne, Germany, at ESA's astronaut training centre, and at NASA facilities in the United States. She finished ESA's basic astronaut training in 2024.
The minister's spokesperson said philanthropists had pledged over A$6 million, alongside in-kind contributions. Some state governments had also indicated support, but South Australia remains the only state or territory to publicly confirm financial backing.
Those contributions are understood to form part of flyKatherine, an industry-led fundraising campaign reported to have reached A$25 million.
If the offer is accepted, Bennell-Pegg would be Australia's first formal representative on a space agency mission. Australians who previously travelled to space either used private operators or obtained US citizenship to join NASA flights.
