The federal government has sent an offer to the European Space Agency (ESA) to send the Australian of the Year, astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, to the International Space Station .

The mission, slated for 2028, will mark the first time a qualified astronaut has flown to space under the Australian flag.

The ESA offer for Bennell-Pegg to join a future ISS mission garnered support from philanthropists and the Australian space industry, but has previously described by the office of the science minister, Tim Ayres, as “a very expensive undertaking” which no government alone could fund.

Announcing the decision on Friday, Ayres said:“The government has been engaging extensively with the private sector, philanthropists, and other levels of government to raise funding to support a space flight – which is a significant cost.

“We are grateful to the philanthropists who have committed over $6m in cash, plus in-kind support, and some indicative support from some state governments.”

Bennell-Pegg is director of…