The International Space Centre at The University of Western Australia is leading a grassroots, cross-sector campaign to support our Government negotiate a human spaceflight mission to help anchor Australia to the global space economy. The campaign is led by Larissa Wiese, Deputy Director at the International Space Centre, with critical support provided by Professor Danail Obreschkow (Director of the ISC, ARC Future Fellow), Anntonette Dailey (Director SIAA, CEO Aviation/Aerospace Australia), Lisa Vitaris MBA GAICD (Former CEO SIAA and Director International Astronautical Congress 2025) and Dr Megan Clark AC (Chancellor Monash University, Former Head of the Australian Space Agency, Former CEO CSIRO).

In October 2025, Wiese presented a Federal Advocacy proposal to the Board of the International Space Centre at UWA, which was endorsed with the backing of UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Anna Nowak, and ISC Director, Professor Danail Obreschkow.

This approval enabled the formation of a small national advocacy group. Following the Space Industry Association of Australia’s post-IAC2025 survey which asked, “Would you support a mission for an Australian astronaut?”, Wiese contacted the survey author, Lisa Vitaris, who joined the campaign. Antonnette Dailey also came on board after hearing early discussions of the initiative.

Professor Obreschkow has played a central role from the outset, contributing critically to both the strategic direction and delivery of the campaign.

The first activity was to demonstrate to Government that strong business and public support for this mission existed. The team began collecting letters of support from across Australia. Enthusiastic letters were provided from universities, space organisations and businesses, astronauts, industry associations, chief scientists, STEM organisations and senior political figures from across the country, reflecting rare cross-sector alignment around the strategic importance of space. This activity began the wider conversation. Other individuals began working quietly (and loudly) in the background, including the inimitable Dr Megan Clark AC: “Space Agent Number 1”.

Following the awarding of Australian of the Year 2026 to Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the group submitted the package of nearly 80 letters of support to the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet members, signalling Australia’s appetite to pursue deeper collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), which should include an Australian astronaut mission. We communicated the package’s delivery to both the Australian Space Agency and the Director-General of the European Space Agency, Dr Josef Aschbacher.

The media came on board like a tsunami. A constant stream of articles and broadcasts tracked the campaign, with high profile individuals such as astronauts Dr Andy Thomas and Colonel Pam Melroy, senior journalists such as David Penberthy and a series of national editorials making public calls to support for a flight for Bennell-Pegg. As politicians and business backed the campaign, new angles to the tale of Australia’s first astronaut trained for long-haul missions in space appeared. Public understanding and knowledge grew and became louder. This was not a ticket to space. This was a chance for Australia to unify.

As ESA made its way through the March Council meetings in Switzerland, the team in Australia were invited to speak with representatives from the cross-bench, the Shadow Ministry, and the Ministry. This was a whole of Government approach, and support has come from all sides of the political spectrum.

Media in South Australia backed a public letter-writing campaign to the Prime Minister, and in the midst of a busy State election campaign made front page room to continue to demonstrate public support.

Where are we now? Cabinet have to decide whether to accept the offer from ESA. This will likely have to be supported by a number of portfolios, all of which would benefit from the outcomes of a barter arrangement with ESA. Industry has begun a co-contribution fund, kicked off by the committment by Jim Whalley, CEO Nova Systems, of $1,000,000. This fund is building by the day, and if your business would like to support, please get in touch with Dr Megan Clark AC.

Latest updates on the campaign are available here.