- Namira Saleem, Pakistan’s first astronaut, is set to fulfill her space journey dream after 16 years, thanks to her partnership with Richard Branson.
- The announcement of her inclusion in the Galactic 04 mission on November 29, 2022, marked a historic milestone as she becomes the first Pakistani to venture into space.
- Minister Murtaza Solangi commended Namira’s achievements, emphasizing her role in advancing Pakistan’s presence in space exploration.
In a historic development, Namira Saleem, Pakistan’s first astronaut, is on the brink of embarking on her long-awaited space journey this year. Having bought her ticket in 2006 her dream of hoisting the Pakistani flag in space will finally come true as she jets out to space next month.
Her journey to the cosmos was made possible through her association with Richard Branson with whom she has been working on space tourism for the last 25 years, resulting in her being designated as Astronaut No. 6.
The monumental announcement took place on November 29, 2022, when Richard Branson, the visionary behind Virgin Galactic, personally allocated her a seat. Namira Saleem’s inclusion in the Galactic 04 mission makes her the first Pakistani to venture into space, marking an extraordinary milestone for Pakistan and its people.
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More About Namira Saleem
Born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1975, Namira Saleem’s educational journey took her to Hofstra University in New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in international trade. She then studied further at Columbia University, earning a master’s degree in international relations after which she moved to Monaco in 1997 and has been there ever since.
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Virgin Galactic Holdings Galactic 04 Mission
Virgin Galactic Holdings has officially unveiled the launch window for the Galactic 04 mission, scheduled to commence on October 5, 2023. This mission assembles a diverse trio of private astronauts, each contributing their unique backgrounds and cultural perspectives to this awe-inspiring endeavour that includes Namira. Among them is Astronaut 017, representing the United States, alongside Astronaut 018, a proud representative of the United Kingdom. Last but not least, Astronaut 019 carries the pride of Pakistan on this historic voyage, symbolizing a global collaboration in the pursuit of space exploration and adventure.
Namira Saleem Hailed by Minister Murtaza Solangi for Achievements
Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said on Friday that Namira Saleem’s upcoming journey to space is a sign of Pakistan’s growing presence in space exploration and a major achievement for the nation.
Saleem has also been gained official recognition as Pakistan’s first astronaut by the government in 2006. The following year, Namira assumed the role of Honorary Ambassador of Tourism for Pakistan, a prestigious appointment by the Ministry of Tourism. She made history as the first Pakistani to reach the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008.
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Further adding to her impressive list of achievements, Namira became the first Asian and the initial Pakistani to partake in a skydiving adventure over Mount Everest during the ground-breaking ‘First Everest Skydives’ in 2008. Beyond her adventurous endeavours, she is a dedicated peace advocate, receiving the ‘Tamgha-e-Imtiaz’ (Medal of Excellence) in recognition of her contributions in 2011.
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