Namira Salim – who has been waiting for almost two decades for the commercial spaceflight – is making history as she becomes Pakistan’s first female space tourist.
“Proud to fly the national flag high in space Insha’Allah on October 6,” she said on social media ahead of her departure alongside three other space travellers.
Thank you @anwaar_kakar Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan for congratulating me as #FirstPakistaniAstroaut and first woman to go to #space from Pakistan. Proud to fly the #national flag high in #space Insha’Allah on 6th October 2023 @virgingalactic #Galactic04. pic.twitter.com/LB49RYqhkn
— Namira Salim (@namirasalim) October 4, 2023
The other two passengers are British advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron Rosano. Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, will also join.
Earlier, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, wished her safe voyage and success. He tweeted on Wednesday: Good Luck Namira Salim @namirasalim. I wish you success when you’re ready to make history on 06 October by becoming the 1st Pakistani woman to travel to space in the #Galactic04. By proving their mettle as trailblazers in multiple fields, Pakistani women are making the whole nation proud.
Good Luck Namira Salim @namirasalim.
I wish you success when you’re ready to make history on 06 October by becoming the 1st ?? woman to travel to space in the #Galactic04
By proving their mettle as trailblazers in multiple fields, ?? women are making the whole nation proud— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 4, 2023