Australia proposes astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for 2028 space mission

The Australian federal government has sent a formal proposal to the European Space Agency to include astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg on a future mission to the International Space Station. The Guardian and space & defense both report that the government submitted the offer for a mission planned for 2028. The proposal is backed by funding support from philanthropists and the Australian space industry, space & defense reported. [1][2]

If the mission goes ahead, Ms Bennell-Pegg will become the first qualified astronaut to travel into space under the Australian flag, according to The Guardian. The submission comes as funding negotiations for the 2028 mission continue, space & defense reported. [1][2]

Ms Bennell-Pegg is a qualified astronaut and space engineer who currently serves as the director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency. In 2024, she became the first qualified astronaut under the Australian flag and the first female Australian to be trained as an astronaut. She was named the 2026 Australian of the Year. [1][4]

The International Space Station is a low Earth orbit research facility operated by five partner agencies from Europe, Canada, Japan, Russia, and the United States. It has hosted a continuous human presence in space since November 2000. [3]