The contribution, conditional on Federal Government support for the mission, will fund an education and outreach program connecting Katherine’s journey with schools and regional communities across Australia.
Co-leader of the #flyKatherine campaign Larissa Wiese said BHP’s commitment demonstrated the scale of support behind the mission.
“BHP’s support shows that Australian industry is ready to back national ambition,” Mrs Wiese said.
“This is such an effective avenue to opening doors to global research and technology partnerships, inspiring young Australians to pursue STEM careers and showing them that in Australia they can help shape the future.
“We are incredibly grateful to BHP for recognising what this mission could mean for communities across the country, particularly young people in regional Australia.”
In its letter to the Federal Government, BHP said human spaceflight could lift Australia’s ambition, deepen partnerships with leading space agencies and accelerate investment in research and technology.
BHP’s commitment adds further momentum to a national campaign bringing together industry, philanthropy, universities and state governments in support of Australia’s participation in the proposed European Space Agency mission.
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