- Namira Saleem, the first Pakistani astronaut, is set to make history as Astronaut No. 6 with Virgin Galactic, thanks to Richard Branson’s endorsement.
- The Galactic 04 mission, featuring private astronauts from diverse backgrounds, including Namira Saleem as the first Pakistani in space, is scheduled to commence on October 5, 2023.
- Namira Saleem’s pioneering journey spans from being the first Pakistani recognized by her government as an astronaut to her role in space tourism with Virgin Galactic and her advocacy for Space as a tool for peace through her non-profit organization, Space Trust.
In a momentous milestone for Pakistan and the world of space exploration, Namira Saleem, the first Pakistani astronaut, is poised to embark on her extraordinary journey into the cosmos later this year. This remarkable achievement has been made possible, in part, by none other than the renowned British entrepreneur and space enthusiast, Sir Richard Branson.
On that fateful day of November 29, 2022, history was written when the Founder Astronaut of Virgin Galactic personally designated Namira’s seat on the spaceflight. This marked the commencement of an exciting new chapter in space exploration, with Namira Saleem becoming Astronaut No. 6, setting her on course to become the first Pakistani to venture into the final frontier.
Virgin Galactic Holdings, the pioneering private spaceflight company, has now officially announced that the eagerly anticipated Galactic 04 mission will commence on October 5, 2023. This historic event will see three private astronauts from diverse backgrounds and cultures coming together for a shared dream of space, exploration, and adventure.
Astronaut 017, hailing from the United States, and Astronaut 018, a representative from the United Kingdom, will join forces with the trailblazing Astronaut 019, who proudly represents Pakistan on this momentous mission.
Namira Saleem’s journey to the stars is a story of grit, determination, and breaking boundaries. Born into a Pakistani family settled in Southern France, she has etched her name in the annals of history by becoming the first Pakistani to travel to space.
Her achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2006, the government of Pakistan officially recognized her as the First Pakistani Astronaut. The following year, Namira was appointed as the Honorary Ambassador of Tourism for Pakistan by the Ministry of Tourism. She went on to accomplish extraordinary feats, becoming the first Pakistani to reach both the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008.
But her adventurous spirit didn’t stop there. Namira Saleem made history by becoming the first Asian and first Pakistani to skydive over Mount Everest during the historic First Everest Skydives in 2008. Her dedication to peace activism earned her the prestigious ‘Tamgha-e-Imtiaz’ (Medal of Excellence) in 2011, one of Pakistan’s highest civil decorations.
Namira’s association with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic dates back to the early days of the venture. In March 2006, Sir Richard personally introduced her to the world press as one of the earliest Founders of Virgin Galactic. This endorsement played a pivotal role in instilling consumer confidence in private space tourism and securing Virgin’s largest stakeholder investment of a staggering $380 million.
Her commitment to this endeavor led her to complete rigorous sub-orbital spaceflight training in the world’s most advanced high-performance centrifuge, the STS-400, at the NASTAR CENTER in the United States, under the watchful eye of Virgin Galactic in 2007.
Namira Saleem is not just a space enthusiast; she is a visionary. In 2015, she founded Space Trust, a non-profit initiative that emerged at the dawn of space privatization, advocating for Space as the New Frontier for Peace on Earth. Through high-level advocacy, Space Trust engages world leaders, the United Nations, and the global space industry to promote the use of space as a sustainable tool for peace on Earth.
Namira’s pioneering efforts align with the United Nations’ Space Diplomacy pillar toward Space2030, in support of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. Her innovative space-themed initiatives under her non-profit organization inspire change, encourage dialogue, and enrich education.
One of her current projects is Space Trust’s maiden mission to space, the [Zero Gravity] 0G Peace Mission 20230 [0G2030], a STEM-based capacity-building 3-Unit Cube Satellite mission in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the University of Arizona. In a momentous development on February 10, 2023, the 0G2030 team secured a free launch opportunity through the United Nations-Avio SpA collaboration, fulfilling their mission to provide Access to Space for All.
As we eagerly await the commencement of the Galactic 04 mission on October 5, 2023, Namira Saleem’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to the indomitable spirit of exploration, peace, and unity that transcends borders and reaches for the stars. In her, we find a shining example of how dreams can become reality, and how space can become a symbol of hope and harmony for all of humanity.
