The one thing standing in the way of Australia’s first female astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg’s space mission

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 — money.

Having been selected by the European Space Agency from more than 22,000 applicants, Bennell-Pegg received an invitation to join the agency’s human spaceflight program in a proposed partnership with the Australian Government, effectively booking a ticket for an orbital mission on the International Space Station.

But that ticket for a launch date in 2028 must be paid for by the Albanese Government, at a cost of at least $100 million.

“It’s not just about a ticket to space, it’s about a program of research, science, education, diplomacy and supply chain access, and the astronaut is the piece that enables such a program,” Bennell-Pegg told The West Australian.

“The Australian Space Agency’s exploration programme is returning $7 for every $1 that’s been invested in it, so it’s an investment in the future.”

A grassroots campaign to convince the Government of the value of such an undertaking is being led by the International Space Centre at the University of Western Australia, and has amassed support from leading figures in the space industry and chief scientists.

The campaign has also raised more than $1 million in a co-contribution fund.

Miss this mission and it could be decades before Australia has another opportunity.

“The ISS is coming to the end of its life in 2030 or thereabouts ... and space agencies around the world are putting their astronauts on all the remaining seats,” she said.

“There are very few seats left.”

Katherine Bennell-Pegg will appear at The Nighty Live leadership breakfast at Crown Perth on Wednesday. Register your attendance at events.thewest.com.au.