ESA EPIC Offer
Connecting Australia to the global space future.
The European Space Agency has invited the Australian Government to fly astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station for a medium-duration mission. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to formally connect Australia's space industry with the world.
8.4%
Current Year 12 Australian participation rate in higher mathematics, at a historic low.
Source: AMSI — Year 12 Mathematics Participation Report Card
USD $1.8 trillion
projected size of the space economy by 2035.
Source: World Economic Forum and McKinsey — Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity (2024)
The window is extraordinarily narrow.
The Australian Government is seriously considering this offer. This campaign brings together national support, evidence and advocacy from the States, philanthropy, industry, academia and the STEM sectors.
ESA member states are progressing mission allocations right now. There are very limited seats left on the ISS before it deorbits forever. If we miss this opportunity, it is likely to be decades before another arises.
Australia is one of the most space-dependent nations in the world — satellites underpin banking, agriculture, logistics, telecommunications, disaster management and national security — yet we remain early in developing sovereign space capability.
This is not about sending one individual to space. It is about anchoring Australia to the global space economy through international contracts, advanced manufacturing, research access and deeper integration with Europe.
Economy, innovation & R&D
Great ideas, captured elsewhere.
Australia ranks just 105th of 145 countries for economic complexity — leaving us reliant on commodities, exposed to boom-bust cycles and less able to compete in AI, quantum and space. We are led, rather than leading.
Source: ABS — Economic Complexity Index, 2023 data (released 2025)
- 01
Turning research into real-world outcomes
ESA programs move ideas beyond the lab into technologies, infrastructure and commercial applications, embedding Australian researchers and companies in mission-driven projects.
- 02
Creating scale and focus
ESA missions are large, coordinated efforts that align government, industry and academia around shared goals — rather than isolated one-off programs.
- 03
Building international partnerships
A mission partnership could connect Australian companies and researchers with leading European teams, opening opportunities to develop technology, build expertise and collaborate on future space projects.
- 04
A seat at the table
For ESA and NASA, the language is astronauts. Nations in human spaceflight help shape future space rules, supply chains and collaborations.
STEM & our future workforce
Demand is rising. Supply is falling.
- 85%
- growth in STEM jobs over 20 years to February 2020
Source: 2021 State of Australia's Skills — National Skills Commission
- 30.6 → 25.2%
- Year 12 students in intermediate+ maths, 2019–2023
Source: AMSI — Year 12 mathematics participation; higher + intermediate rates
- 58
- countries tested — Australia's Year 4 maths gender gap is the largest
- $57B
- modelled GDP gain over 20 years from shifting 1% of the workforce into STEM
Nations invest in what they value. Katherine Bennell-Pegg represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset Australia's STEM trajectory and inspire the next generation.
The story behind the campaign.
The International Space Centre at The University of Western Australia has helped coordinate a grassroots, cross-sector campaign supporting the Government to negotiate a human spaceflight mission. With many individuals across Australia also rallying supporters, it draws on volunteers, universities, industry and community groups in every state and territory: people who have written to their representatives, raised funds and made the case that Australia belongs in human spaceflight.
When Katherine Bennell-Pegg was named 2026 Australian of the Year, the group delivered 80 letters of support representing tens of thousands of Australians across universities, industry, astronauts, chief scientists and political leaders, to the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet members.
Source: ESA EPIC Offer campaign — Supporters
Media interest followed, with voices including Dr Megan Clark AO, Dr Andy Thomas AO, Colonel Pam Melroy, Natasha Stott Despoja AC, Dr Paul Scully-Power AM, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, The Honorable Dr Kevin Rudd AC, The Honorable Peter Malinouskas MP, Michael "Wippa" Wipfli, Professor Fiona Wood AO, Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy AO, Annie Fogarty AM, General the Honourable Sir Peter John Cosgrove AK, AC (Mil), CVO, MC (Ret), Dick Smith AC, Professor Brian Schmidt AC, The Honorable Anoulack Chanthivong MP, Senator The Honorable Don Farrell, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, and The Honorable Jacqui Munro MLC, alongside a run of national editorials. This was never just about a ticket to space. It is a chance for the country to unite around something bigger.
In their own words
What benefits does a professional astronaut bring back to their country, when placed on a mission to the ISS?
On a recent UWA zero gravity science campaign with Novespace, NSFF CEO Larissa Wiese interviewed French astronaut Thomas Pesquet on the specific benefits of having a mission-experienced astronaut for a nation.
Watch on YouTube"The impact of an astronaut" — International Space Centre, The University of Western Australia.
Questions, answered.
What is being proposed?
Australia is considering the offer of a medium-duration mission to the ISS by the European Space Agency for Katherine Bennell-Pegg. It would not be a privately purchased ticket, but a government-to-government partnership linking Australian industry, research and technology into mission activities.
How is this different from previous Australians in space?
Dr Paul Scully-Power and Dr Andy Thomas flew under US programs after building careers in the US system, and recent private individuals flew commercially. This mission would occur under a formal Australian partnership with ESA, embedding Australian research, industry contracts and national engagement in the mission itself.
How does this benefit everyday Australians?
Australians rely on space every day, whether they realise it or not. Space technology enables us to use GPS to navigate, pay for groceries, check the weather, manage our farms, operate our mines and communicate across our vast country. Satellites help firefighters track bushfires, farmers manage crops and emergency services respond to floods. Yet Australia relies heavily on technology and infrastructure developed overseas. This mission is an opportunity to change that.
It can transform our STEM education pipeline. Australia urgently needs more scientists, engineers and technology specialists, not just for space, but for our hospitals, schools, defence industries and businesses. An Australian astronaut conducting real experiments in orbit can inspire children who might never have considered a career in science. More students pursuing STEM means more Australian doctors developing new treatments, engineers building better infrastructure and innovators creating the jobs of tomorrow.
It opens doors for Australian research and industry. Research in microgravity can help develop new medicines, improve medical treatments, create stronger and lighter materials and discover more efficient ways of producing food and energy. Participation also gives Australian companies access to international research networks and supply chains, helping them develop new products, grow their businesses and create high-skilled Australian jobs.
It strengthens Australia's international competitiveness, sovereign capability and resilience. When satellites fail, communications are disrupted or international supply chains break down, Australians feel the consequences through interrupted services, higher costs and reduced access to essential technology. By building Australian expertise and capability, we become better equipped to protect critical services, respond to bushfires and floods, support our farmers and industries, and navigate global crises. The more capability we develop here, the less vulnerable we are to decisions and disruptions beyond our control.
It gives Australia something that is difficult to put a price on: ambition. Major national projects inspire people, attract investment and bring together researchers, businesses and governments to solve problems. They create opportunities that would not otherwise exist. Australia has extraordinary talent, but we need ambitious projects that give that talent a purpose and keep our brightest minds working and innovating here at home.
The astronaut is the catalyst, not the end goal. The real mission is to build the skills, technologies, industries and national resilience that make everyday life better for Australians, long after the astronaut returns to Earth.
Why is it time-critical?
The International Space Station is nearing the end of its life, flight opportunities are allocated years in advance, and ESA is finalising commitments now. If Australia does not act in this negotiation and budget cycle, the opportunity may not return for a generation.
Why can't Katherine or the Australian Space Agency comment?
Katherine is a public servant employed by the Australian Space Agency, which cannot publicly comment on matters involving Cabinet consideration, budget decisions or international negotiations. Public servants cannot lobby for projects.
Whose decision is it?
The Australian Government's. A mission would require a government-to-government agreement with ESA and budget approval through the Commonwealth process.
Why is there a mix of private, state and federal funding? Who usually funds government missions?
Internationally, federal governments fund crewed missions — they are seen as being in the national interest. Human spaceflight is new for Australia. A mix of funds, but federally led, helps to demonstrate this is worth doing to kick-start it for the country, and brings excellent value to the taxpayer. It allows contributors to shape and benefit from the mission, and encourages Australia to take this giant leap. That funds have been raised to such a great extent is a testament to the passion and value the nation puts behind this mission. Thank you to those contributing for their commitment to the nation, and for their vision. Please note that as a public servant, Katherine Bennell-Pegg cannot be directly involved in fundraising.
Why not hold an open call for astronauts?
In truth, this would be the first step towards Australia being able to hold their own open call for Australian astronauts. That mechanism does not yet exist. Katherine Bennell-Pegg applied in ESA's selection process, which attracted more than 22,000 applicants, and completed astronaut training through a unique Australian agreement with ESA. The offer has been made for her in particular - not 'an Australian astronaut'.
Source: Australian Government — Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year
Source: ABC — Katherine Bennell-Pegg graduates (2024); ESA applicant pool
Why Katherine Bennell-Pegg?
The offer has been made for Katherine Bennell-Pegg in particular. She is the only Australian to have completed ESA basic astronaut training, and the offer was based on her merit. A mission partnership would build on that training.