A Pakistani adventurer based in Dubai is about to achieve her dream of going to space with Virgin Galactic’s private commercial spaceflight. Namira Salim waited for 17 years for this moment. She will be the first person from Pakistan to travel to space.
Virgin Galactic, a company from California, is launching its fourth commercial spaceflight with three space tourists, including Namira Salim from Pakistan. She has a remarkable history of adventure, having raised Pakistan’s flag on the North and South Poles in 2007 and 2008, respectively. She also became the first Asian to skydive over Mount Everest.
In 2011, the Pakistan government recognized her achievements and awarded her the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, or Medal of Excellence. She received the Femina Middle East Women Award in 2016 for her passion for space exploration.
Namira Salim signed her contract with Virgin Galactic and bought her ticket in 2006 for $200,000, although the current ticket price is $450,000. She trained at a private spaceport in New Mexico with fellow American and British travelers.
Her space mission involves going into orbit and re-entering the atmosphere. Unlike traditional rocket launches, their spaceship will be carried to 50,000 feet by a mothership before igniting the rocket motor engine to reach space from that altitude.
Salim’s passion for space began in childhood when her father introduced her to the pole star and taught her about constellations. She believes Pakistan should follow the example of countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia by embracing commercial space ventures to create opportunities for human spaceflight.
Regarding her future plans, Salim is involved in developing a three-unit cube satellite called ‘Zero G 2030’ in collaboration with university students. This project, led by her nonprofit organization Space Trust and sponsored by the United Nations, aims to carry messages of peace into orbit.
