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Namira Salim is preparing to become the initial Pakistani to venture into space aboard a Virgin Galactic spaceplane. She expressed her “pride” in hoisting the national flag in space, which is a significant accomplishment for Pakistan, particularly its women.
In advance of her departure, Salim shared on social media, “I’m proud to fly the national flag high in space Insha’Allah on October 6,” as she embarks on this journey with three other space travelers: British advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron Rosano. Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, Beth Moses, will also join them.
Read more : Pakistans First Astronaut Set to Hoist National Flag in Space
Virgin Galactic previously postponed its next space tourism mission by one day to complete vehicle preparations and checks.
The mission, called Galactic 04, will enable three paying customers to experience suborbital space travel and witness moments of weightlessness while gazing at the Earth’s curvature against the backdrop of outer space. The VSS Unity spaceplane will launch from New Mexico’s Spaceport America beneath the wings of its carrier plane, Virgin Mothership (VMS) Eve.
Notably, Jameel Janjua, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, pilots VMS Eve. Kelly Latimer and C.J. Sturckow will operate the spaceplane, and Nicola Pecile will assist Mr. Janjua in piloting Eve. Both vehicles will return to Spaceport America upon completing the mission.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar congratulated Salim on becoming the first Pakistani woman to journey into space, recognizing her as a trailblazer who has made the nation proud.
Salim purchased one of the first 100 tickets with Virgin Galactic in 2006, priced at $200,000 at the time, which has since increased to $450,000. She is the founder and chairperson of the nonprofit organization Space Trust and holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani to visit both the North Pole (in April 2007) and the South Pole (in January 2008), as per her website.
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