The Australian government has just over one week to agree to send Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg to space, but the cost has some worried.
Ms Bennell-Pegg has been offered a position on the European Space Agency (ESA) mission to the International Space Station.
She has until March 18 to either accept or decline the invite but one key detail has experts fearing it will be declined - the mission's $100million price tag.
Former NASA astronaut Andy Thomas - the first Australian in space, though he flew under the US flag - personally penned a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urging him consider the benefits of participating.
If approved, Ms Bennell-Pegg would be the first Australian astronaut to undertake a mission under the Australian flag.
Dr Thomas became the first Australia-born professional astronaut to enter space in 1996 while on the Shuttle Endeavour.
He joined more than 80 others in the scientific community who have written to the PM in support of the mission and said an astronaut flying under the Australian flag would inspire a generation of kids to study STEM subjects.
'There are many reasons why this is good for the country, not the least of which are the economic and intellectual boosts that it will bring to our nation,' Dr Thomas wrote to Mr Albanese, The Australian reported.
The Albanese government has to agree to sending Ms Bennell-Pegg on the flight.
However, Dr Thomas made a point not to 'dwell on the economic benefits'.
To my mind, the most lasting and impactful outcome of the flight has to be the legacy of excitement, pride and national unity it will bring to all of our communities,' he said.
'Seeing the Australian flag in space will be uplifting and will bring us all together with a sense of national unity and optimism. We will see that the efforts and sacrifices of earlier generations have built a community that can now competently stand on the global stage and participate in humanity's next great adventure, space exploration.'
The ESA specifically invited Ms Bennell-Pegg on its mission as she previously studied with it.
If she declines the invite, it will likely be passed onto another nation like Canada or the United Arab Emirates.
The International Space Centre at The University of Western Australia alone has already sent more than 80 letters urging the Australian Government to accept the invitation.
It's understood the federal government will make its decision in the coming days.
A spokesperson for Industry Minister Tim Ayres said the government was interested in exploring 'closer co-operation' with the ESA.
'The Australian Space Agency continues to engage with the ESA as part of these discussions,' they said.