Pakistani woman embarks on space journey aboard Virgin Galactic
On this momentous day, October 6, 2023, Namira Salim is all
set to etch her name in history as the first Pakistani to voyage to the final
frontier aboard a Virgin Galactic spaceplane.
Ahead of her departure alongside three other space
travelers, she expressed her pride on social media, proclaiming, "Proud to
fly the national flag high in space Insha'Allah on October 6."
Joining her on this extraordinary journey are British
advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron
Rosano. The trio will be accompanied by Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic's chief
astronaut instructor.
Virgin Galactic had recently announced a one-day delay for
their next space tourism mission, now scheduled for October 6, citing the need
for additional vehicle preparation and checks.
Dubbed "Galactic 04," this upcoming mission will
catapult three paying customers into suborbital space and back aboard Virgin
Galactic's VSS Unity spaceplane. While the trajectory won't reach orbit,
passengers will experience several minutes of weightlessness and have the
awe-inspiring opportunity to witness Earth's curvature against the backdrop of
outer space.
The liftoff will occur beneath the wings of the carrier plane,
Virgin Mothership (VMS) Eve, from New Mexico's Spaceport America. Galactic 04
marks Virgin's fourth commercial spaceflight endeavor this year, following
similar flights in June, August, and September.
Jameel Janjua, a Pakistani-Canadian pilot, will be at the
helm of the ship carrying the Virgin Galactic spaceplane. Jameel, who had
accumulated over 4,000 flying hours in more than 45 different vehicles before
joining Virgin Galactic, is joined by Kelly Latimer and C.J. Sturckow, who will
pilot the spaceplane, and Nicola Pecile, who will co-pilot Eve. Both vehicles
will return to Spaceport America upon completing the mission.
In a tweet from her official X (formerly Twitter) account,
Namira Salim expressed gratitude to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar
for congratulating her on her historic journey to space. Mr. Kakar lauded her
as a trailblazer, highlighting the achievements of Pakistani women across
various fields.
Namira Salim's remarkable journey to space was made possible
as one of the first 100 people to purchase a ticket with Virgin Galactic, a
decision she made back in 2006 when the price was $200,000. Since then, the
cost has increased to $450,000.
Namira, the founder and chairperson of the nonprofit Space
Trust, is no stranger to adventure. According to her website, she holds the
distinction of being the first Pakistani to visit both the North Pole (in April
2007) and the South Pole (in January 2008). Today, she takes her pioneering
spirit to the final frontier.
Source: Dawn