Australia's First Astronaut Closer to Space Flight, But Funding Uncertain

Australia's first qualified astronaut is closer to her first space flight than ever before, but the trip is not a guarantee.

The European Space Agency has extended the offer to the Australian government for Katherine Bennell-Pegg to join a future mission that will take the 41-year-old to the International Space Station.

But the offer remains dependent on financial support, with crowdfunding, industry support and government all expected to play a critical role.

Touring Western Australia's Goldfields as part of her commitments as Australian of the Year, Ms Bennell-Pegg said she was happy to inspire the next generation and keen to follow through.

"I hope that through representing Australia, I can unlock the opportunity for Australia to be part of human space flight, to be able to put payloads in space, to do research up there," she said.

"It's been a privilege to help foster that and help them to dream big for themselves and know that future is in reach from right here."

Critical opportunity for Australia

Astrophysicist and director of the University of Western Australia's International Space Centre Danail Obreschkow said while the costs would be significant, the mission represented a crucial opportunity for Australia.

"We don't know which space mission, we don't know the volume of the offer, but typically such partnerships can be in the range of a hundred million dollar investment,"

"Through such a space mission, you join a worldwide economy … that global space economy which is worth a trillion dollars this year.

"Put it all in the bucket, you get this huge return on investment factors … people working in space, new jobs."

Professor Obreschkow said private funding could be leveraged, but it was a "reasonable" thing for public money to be allocated to support the mission.

A spokesperson for Federal Science Minister Tim Ayres paid tribute to Ms Bennell-Pegg as an "extraordinary Australian", but stopped short of guaranteeing support.

"Discussions with the ESA about potential Australian participation in a human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station are ongoing," they said.

Inspiring the next generation

In Kalgoorlie-Boulder, year 12 student Michaela Jean Stanton has dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and relished the chance to meet one of her heroes.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was little, and I'm still following it."

"Very nerve-wracking, but it was exciting to meet an astronaut … and I know it will inspire a lot of other kids to do it as well."

The outreach program organised by Auspire and the Australian Space Agency aims to encourage more students to pursue STEM, and for Ms Stanton, whose favourite subject is history, it worked.

Ms Stanton said when she got back to school, she would double down on her studies in STEM.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson said seeing an Australian astronaut was a big moment for him personally.

"I've got a five-year-old at home who has ambitions to be an astronaut."

"Today I get to take that opportunity home to him to say, mate, that's an opportunity that you have. We have astronauts here in Australia."

Ms Bennell-Pegg said regions like the Goldfields were vital for future space exploration for their skilled trades and experience in developing harsh environments.

"I'm here with Auspire as part of a tour as Australian of the Year and it's an absolute privilege to be here and get to meet the community."

"Kalgoorlie is incredible. I've got out to a local primary school and the School of Mines and now here at a civic reception, and I can tell you that the future of space is being written here in regional WA."