space tourist girl

What It's Like to Go to Space as a Tourist—According to Virgin Galactic's First Astronauts

By Jessica Chapel

On August 10, newbie astronauts Keisha Schahaff, 46, and Anastatia Mayers, 18, made history as the first mother-daughter duo and the first Caribbean women ever to go to space. The two flew outside Earth's atmosphere with Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space tourism company that held its first launch with commercial travelers.

Schahaff and Mayers were two of the three tourists on board spaceflight Galactic 02, which took off from Spaceport America in the middle of New Mexico’s Jornada del Muerto desert basin. The women were accompanied by 80-year-old British daredevil Jon Goodwin, who purchased his ticket almost two decades ago. Among his numerous accolades, Goodwin is now the first Olympian, and second person with Parkinson’s, to enter space. With the journey, Schahaff and Mayers earned additional superlatives, too, including becoming the youngest person (Mayers) ever to leave the planet and the sixth and seventh Black women to enter space.

“Looking back on our planet, I felt this deeper connection to love,” Schahaff says. “I did not feel myself as an individual. I could actually see and feel everything that we are.”

The trio of astronauts boarded the company’s reusable space plane, VSS Unity, and were launched on a mission that lasted around 90 minutes. VMS Eve, Galactic’s carrier plane, lifted Unity to an altitude of 50,000 feet where the ship was dropped, igniting the craft’s rocket motor and launching it to space. The Galactic 02 crew also included the space plane’s commander C.J. Sturckow and pilot Kelly Latimer, who both have years of NASA and Virgin Galactic flight experience. At peak altitude and zero gravity, all six onboard free floated at 280,000 feet for nearly four minutes—a complete and utter weightlessness.

“It almost feels like gravity is what sets the thoughts in our mind,” Schahaff continued. “Without that gravity, I felt like I was timeless—all I had was awe.”

Schahaff and Mayers at Spaceport America

The once-in-a-lifetime experience was a long time in the making. Two years ago, Schahaff won two Virgin Galactic tickets in a Space for Humanity raffle. She entered the contest while flying on a plane. Months later, Branson knocked on her door in Antigua to tell her she’d won. She immediately Facetimed her daughter, studying abroad in Scotland at Aberdeen University, and extended the invitation.

Typically, Virgin Galactic charges $450,000 per ticket. Starting in September, the company will begin regular spaceflights, with two to three tourists at a time booked about every four weeks. There’s talk of the company, eventually, working towards greater affordability, but those details generally remain unclear.

The months of build up before the takeoff were dedicated to commitment and focus. All Virgin Galactic space passengers must complete the Preflight Space Readiness Program. The 8 to 10 month training is at the Spaceport site, and designed to prepare private astronauts with a series of seminars and even flight test simulations for craft familiarity. Each syllabus depends on the individual’s physical and mental baseline.

Virgin offers accommodations close by Spaceport, as well as intensive courses that range from craft safety measures to manifest and confidence training. According to both the passengers and the staff, a huge component of the preflight experience is team bonding, creating trust and comfortability.

As a family, Mayers and Schahaff expressed that each nugget of the entire experience brought them closer together—and closer to a sense of themselves. Take the morning of the space flight, for example. On a fine line between anxiety and excitement, Schahaff stepped outside, looked up to the sky, and expressed that everything felt so “remarkably clear.”

“I could see the stars, I could see the moon, and it felt like the Universe was connecting with me again,” Schahaff says. “It said ‘you’re invited, come.’” Once Mayers woke up, she had a gut-feeling of fate and anticipation. She knew that “there was no other thing [I’d] would rather be doing.”

The entire flight was watched by audiences around the world–from the Southwestern deserts of New Mexico to huge coastal celebrations in Antigua and Barbuda, where Schahaff’s mother and Branson himself joined forces in tears.

Mayers and Schahaff’s experience has already created widespread ripple effects. From a spotlight on Antiguan and Barbudan pride to a very real, strengthening dynamic between mother and daughter. Schahaff is still processing the not-so-simple vision of Earth. As a mother, she noted that even watching her daughter throughout the journey was “breathtaking.” Now, she is more encouraged than ever to shed some insight and inspiration on dream-chasing and spirit “stretching,” which she says is crucial when reaching for goals.

Mayers, who could only say “wow” upon landing, has emphasized the level of effect the experience had on her spirit and mindset. Now appreciating the tiniest details in her life to a new immediate sense of belonging, observing the Earth was a means of absorbing indescribable love. For her part, Mayers is continuing her studies of philosophy and physics; she might just be the prime example of a new generation’s space traveler.

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Muslim Girl

Anousheh Ansari: The First Muslim Female Space Tourist

“Ready … here we go!” “Nine … eight … seven …” It was really happening! “Six … five … four …” I’m really going … “Three …” “Two …” “One.” The space shuttle took off. Anousheh Ansari giggled like a schoolgirl at the sight of flying objects. Peeping through her tiny porthole, her laughter stopped as tears welled in her eyes when she saw Earth for the first time…from space. “I could not catch my breath,” wrote Ansari in her book My Dream of Stars: From Daughter of Iran to Space Pioneer. “My beautiful planet, under the warm rays of the sun, turned gracefully beneath me. I was entranced.” On September 18, 2006, Ansari became the first Muslim private space explorer. She earned a place in history as the fourth private explorer to visit space and the first astronaut of Iranian descent.

Born in 1966 in Iran, Ansari immigrated to the US as a teen ager . She earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, followed by a master’s degree in electrical engineering. She has an honorary doctorate from the International Space University. She is co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems and the first S pace Ambassador to create public awareness and stimulate grassroots enthusiasm about the virtues of space exploration. She no w lives in Plano, Texas with her husband Hamid Ansari.

MuslimGirl had the pleasure of speaking with Ansari about her thoughts on Muslim women’s empowerment as well as her aspirations and motivations. Here’s what she had to say:

MG: These are very difficult times for Muslims, espec ially with politicians and the media negatively associating Muslims to terrorism. As a space ambassador aiming to promote peace and understanding, what do you say to Muslim women who are discouraged by all these events? AA: People in general have a negative view because of the media, and of Muslim women because of what they represent or portray, which is far from reality. We have to be vocal and express that we are appalled by all horrific crimes that happen in the name of Islam. Only by being proactive and vocal can we really establish the true face of Muslims around the world. Sometimes we get bitter about what we hear in the media and pull away. But I think now is not the time to pull away. In fact, we need to go to the front lines and be vocal and active in participating and stopping terrorist acts around the world. This is not isolated to Muslims. Terrorist acts happen around the world by people of different genders, colors, and religious beliefs. But sometimes the size and magnitude of what happens grabs the global media’s attention. We can turn this from being against Muslims to opportunities that demonstrate and show the true face of Islam. MG: You’ve established two companies, you became the world’s first Muslim woman in space using your own funds, and you’re a space ambassador. You’re such a role model for Muslim women. How do you feel about that and what message do you send to Muslim women? AA: All I hope to do is to set an example to live my life in a way that can inspire and help other women in different parts of the world see their possibilities. Women must not let anyone tell them that they’re not supposed to do certain things, or that they’re different or incapable of doing things. Sometimes others try to discourage us. Then we start to tell ourselves the same things – and that’s what limits what we can do or achieve. I just hope my life serves as an example to inspire others to go after their dreams fully and wholeheartedly. MG: What are some of the cultural and family restrictions you think that hinder Muslim women’s progress? AA: Depending on which societies you talk about, you see different rates of women’s participation. I think that even in societies where the opportunities are limited there are women who push the boundaries and demonstrate that they can be very active participants. Many studies, time after time, show that the whole community improves when women are active members in the job market. The economic wheels that turn the country improve from their participation, increasing the socioeconomic levels of women. This is data that can’t be ignored. If the country and the people benefit – if the society benefits – then there are arguments that say, “why shouldn’t they be more involved?” I go back to the fact that sometimes the way we’re brought up teaches us things which may or may not be true. We start believing in what a Muslim woman should and should not do – and that’s when we come short of being able to do what we really want to do in life. I don’t think any one or anything should stop us from achieving greatness. There is nothing, not in our religious beliefs, or in any scripture that will tell u s we cannot be active participants in our societies and be independent living our lives the way we want to. So I think those are important points that every woman should take to heart and use in deciding what’s right for her. MG: In what ways do you think Muslim women can overcome cultural barriers in order to believe in themselves and succeed? AA: They must have the courage to ask questions. By questioning, you will face opposition and difficulties –  especially in very closed societies. You might have to get into an argument wit h your father, your brother, your husband – people you love and respect, which makes it difficult. The outcome is definitely different for each individual. Each situation is different, but if you have someone who really loves you then they want what’s best for you and your happiness. So if there’s something that you want to do and your father is preventing you from doing it because it is not what is expected of his daughter, then you need to push the boundary; you need to educate; you need to try to show why things are important. We see examples of how family quarrels turn into educational experiences. Fathers have become the ambassador of change, not only for their daughters, but for the rest of women. It’s hard to achieve, but once you do it, it impacts a lot of women. Look at Malala Yousafzai’s father. He has become a voice for other fathers to stand up and support their daughters’ education. So even sometimes from tragedy you have a silver lining that leads to change. MG: What keeps you motivated? AA: The fact that life is short. There is so much to do, so muc h to see, so much to learn, and so much to achieve. Life is short and you don’t know how long you’re going to be on this planet. We need to take everyday and moment and make the most of it – that’s my biggest motivation. MG: What is your favorite quote? AA:  “Be the change you want to see in the world,”  by Mahatma Ghandi. If there is something I don’t like, I don’t complain about it. I try to change it. I think if everyone lived their lives like that and became change makers we’d have a better world. MG: Can you tell us about your future plans? AA:  I’m very active right now as the CEO of my own company, busy running and making it grow. We use technology to bring about positive change in people’s lives. Recently we achieved a great partnership with Tata Trusts to bring technology to rural India in remote locations in order to bring services that will greatly benefit women and children. I also continue to be a big advocate for space and women in technology and science, as well as for education in general. I want to make sure that girls and women benefit from education so they can pursue their entrepreneurial desires. — Image: Wikipedia  

By Hasnaa Mokhtar

10 comments.

““I could not catch my breath,” wrote Ansari in her book My Dream of Stars: From Daughter of Iran to Space Pioneer. “My beautiful planet, under the warm rays of the sun, turned gracefully beneath me. I was entranced.” Beautifully stated, brings the image to the mind…one which now most of us have seen in video/pics. I have always considered Iranians most daring and adventurous, way ahead of most Muslims in their resolute steadfastness, sincere endeavors. The others are Turks and Paks. Pakistan-Iran-Turkey is a formidable Muslim combination. Pray that one day they coalesce into a mighty unbeatable formidable Muslim Fortress The Nation of Islam. They better do it, in a hurry too, soon…there are ominous clouds burgeoning at the horizon. Each thunder clap, each shock and awe, as they come near, sounds the death knell of Islam’s Civilization.

“The others are Turks and Paks. Pakistan-Iran-Turkey is a formidable Muslim combination. Pray that one day they coalesce into a mighty unbeatable formidable Muslim Fortress The Nation of Islam”. Hey, we’ve already got an Islamic State, so why not a “Muslim Fortress Nation of Islam?” A potential haven of freedom and egalitarianism, that.

Well we already have an Islamic State, so why not? A “formidable Muslim fortress Nation of Islam” certainly doesn’t sound like another backwards hellhole whose main export would be refugees.

Thank you for your comment, intent and tone. I will keep it under advisement.

I’m sorry if you were offended. My frat buddies got my password and they’ve been posting under my name. Disregard anything they’ve been saying, they’re just pranksters. I’m changing my password, so they shouldn’t bother you guys again. Have a good day. I’m still cleaning up their bullshit across the internet. 😉 Regards, The Real Bertram Roberts

That can happen. I believe you. I believe anyone the first time. I’d even give the Devil his due. I am not offended. Only observant. You have had your shot. Any time I sense sincerity in your question, however questionable the question itself maybe, I will respond with courtesy and respect to the best of my ability. A Muslim has but no other choice. Once you have cleared up your mess do come back…maybe we can talk. You will be welcome. Peace and regards, El Cid.

Well, this is not exactly the kind of site I normally frequent myself, but maybe I will. 🙂 The funny thing is that the guy who found out my password is actually a fairly devout Muslim. I don’t think he would’ve told the others about it if he knew what kind of trollish crap they’d be posting. And looking into last month’s posts it looks like they’ve been posting on some porno sites, and trolling on Christian blogs as well. Facepalm. I am so, so, glad I don’t post under my real name.

Friends, buddies, and guys do that sort of thing often enough…so I can understand. Overall they are good to have around and later, one day you will reminiscence over such things. No harm done. Anytime you want to post I am sure you will be welcome. Muslim and non-Muslim people over all are not all that different people but appear to be. Exchange of ideas and dusting off difference are constructive in the long run. Makes life richer except for those who have tight unforgiving heart, carry grudges and blood pressure. As I said no harm done. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Take care, Regards.

She seems to be good example from the Muslim community. Hope that more Muslim ladies like her comes into prominence and change the face of Muslim community in general and for other women as well.

Very encouraging role model. Wish you success in your future endeavors too.

Comments are closed.

Anousheh Ansari: The First Iranian Spacewoman

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Gibson, K.B. Women in Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions and Gravity-Breaking Adventures , pp. 167–168. Chicago Review Press, Inc., Chicago (2014).

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Official biography of Anousheh Ansari, anoushehansari.com .

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Cavallaro, U. (2017). Anousheh Ansari: The First Iranian Spacewoman. In: Women Spacefarers. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34048-7_45

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Angela Watercutter

An Iranian Girl, Battling to Be an Astronomer

PARK CITY, Utah – Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars is an earnest and inspiring documentary about a teenage Iranian girl who dreams of being an astronomer. It's been getting a lot of attention since its recent debut at the ongoing Sundance Film Festival, but for anyone not fortunate enough – or cold-resilient enough – to be in Park City, there's a speedy alternative: iTunes.

It's the first time Apple has ever distributed a new film at Sundance to its millions of users in the U.S. and Canada while the movie was still playing at the festival. It's unknown how long iTunes, which also offered some films during last year's Tribeca Film Festival, will offer the doc, but it's currently $7.99 to own and $4.99 to rent.

Is it worth the money? In short, yes. Sepideh Hooshyar was only 14 years old when director Berit Madsen found her at an astronomy festival in Iran, and subsequently documented the girl – and her quest to become an astronomer despite the opposition of her family – for nearly five years. Initially inspired by Iranian-American space tourist Anousheh Ansari, Hooshyar continually finds new ways to pursue astronomy studies even when her uncle berates her for her aspirations and her mother says their family can't afford to send her to college.

"Very early on I got a clue that she was struggling for something and that there was definitely a long way ahead of her," Madsen said. "And I [knew] I would really love to take a part of that."

Madsen also wanted to tell an uplifting story. There are many documentaries that deal with the difficult issues women often face in the Middle East, she noted, but those aren't the only stories. Through Hooshyar and Iran, where growing pockets of the country's huge youth population want to step outside the country's norms, the director saw an opportunity to document a different kind of struggle.

When she began filming, however, Madsen didn't know whether or not the story would end up being uplifting or become yet another reflection of the limitations experienced by girls like Hooshyar. In addition to the lack of support from her family, young women are discouraged from going out at night in Iran – even if they just want to look at the stars. There was always a chance that Hooshyar would give up, or simply not get the opportunities she needed despite her efforts.

Today, Madsen says the strong-willed young woman she met six years ago is still as determined ever, and is currently studying physics at a small university. "I had no idea how Sepideh's life would develop, but I had a hunch that ... wouldn't be the story about suppression and victims," she said. "I think it's also very interesting to hear about meeting young people who dare to dream – those stories exist too."

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She Dreamed of the Stars; Now She’ll Almost Touch Them

By Warren E. Leary

• Sept. 12, 2006

From a balcony in Mashhad, a city between two mountain ranges in northeastern Iran, a young girl looked up at the stars — far away yet close enough to kindle a dream.

“I’d lie there looking and wondering,” she said many years later. “I was so young but so fascinated with space; it’s always been in my heart.”

Now the wonder of the girl is about to become reality for the woman, as Anousheh Ansari prepares to become the first woman to go into space as an amateur astronaut.

On Monday, Mrs. Ansari and two professional astronauts are scheduled to blast off in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, part of a crew-exchange flight to the International Space Station.

The Iranian girl, now an American citizen and a wealthy entrepreneur, is to be the fourth private space explorer to buy a ticket to visit the station. (The price is undisclosed; Space Adventures, the company in Vienna, Va., that arranges the trips, is reported to charge up to $20 million each, most of it going to Russia’s space program.)

The venture into space was both expected and a surprise for Mrs. Ansari. She had been serving as backup to Daisuke Enomoto, a Japanese businessman who trained for months to be the next space tourist. But on Aug. 20, the Russian Space Agency announced that an undisclosed medical condition made him ineligible to go. So it became Mrs. Ansari’s turn.

Dennis Tito, an American businessman, became the first amateur to visit the station in 2001, followed in 2002 by Mark Shuttleworth, a South African entrepreneur, and by the American scientist and businessman Gregory Olsen in 2005. In an interview, Mrs. Ansari, who turns 40 today, said she was sorry that Mr. Enomoto would miss this opportunity; they became friends during training. But she will readily seize this chance to venture into space. “Space has always been part of my heart, and I will go with anyone who will fly me,” she said.

Mrs. Ansari is used to being an exception. She relishes the idea of being a role model for other women who want to do the unexpected.

She came to the United States with her family as a teenager, unable to speak English. She conquered that handicap swiftly, earning a bachelor’s degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. (She is pursuing another master’s, in astronomy, from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia.)

After college, she worked at MCI in the engineering division, where she met her husband, Hamid Ansari. In 1993, she persuaded him that they should leave MCI and start their own telecommunications company. That company, Telecom Technologies Inc., grew rapidly, earning several major technology patents; the Ansaris were able to sell it for hundreds of millions of dollars. The family later formed Prodea Systems Inc., a digital technology and investment company, in Plano, Tex., which is sponsoring Mrs. Ansari’s spaceflight.

Mrs. Ansari’s involvement in space is not new. In 2001, she and her brother-in-law, Amir, made a multimillion-dollar donation for naming rights to what became the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million award for the first private company to build a rocket capable of two manned suborbital flights in two weeks.

The aircraft designer Burt Rutan won the contest in 2004 with his SpaceShipOne. When Mr. Rutan announced he was joining with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Company to make a larger version for commercial suborbital flights by 2008, Mrs. Ansari was one of the first to reserve a seat.

The Ansari family also signed an agreement this year with Space Adventures for Prodea Systems to be the financing partner in developing another vehicle to take up to five people on suborbital trips. The partnership has contracted with the Russian Space Agency to develop the spacecraft, named Explorer, said Eric Anderson, president of Space Adventures.

“Her interest is long-term, based upon a love of space that is deeply felt,” said George Whitesides, executive director of the National Space Society, an advocacy group. “She represents the potential of women if given the chance, and that includes being a pioneer for private spaceflight.”

Mrs. Ansari said she enjoyed her months of training at Star City in Russia and at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, including the difficult task of adding Russian to the three languages she already speaks, Farsi, French and English. Partly because of this effort, she dislikes being called a “space tourist.”

“A tourist is someone who just buys a ticket and then goes somewhere,” she said. “They don’t train for six months, including survival training in water and on land, and try to learn every system on a spacecraft.”

When asked at a recent news conference in Star City why she wore an American and an Iranian flag on her spacesuit, Mrs. Ansari said she wanted to recognize both countries’ contributions to her life.

“I was born in Iran and lived there until the age of 16 and then moved to the United States,” she said, according to wire service reports. “So I have a lot of roots in Iran and feel very close to the Iranian people and the culture of the country.”

Mrs. Ansari said she had gotten many encouraging messages from around the world, including Iran, particularly from girls and women. “I want to reach women and girls in remote parts of the world where women are not encouraged to go into science and technology jobs,” she said, “They should believe in what they want and pursue it.”

A guiding principle of her life, she said, is a quotation from Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

“This is what I am trying to do,” Mrs. Ansari said.

Her last-minute selection means she will not be able to take along some private experiments she wanted to conduct during her eight days on the space station. But she said she would participate in some European Space Agency experiments aboard, take lots of pictures with a digital camera, and perhaps use a ham radio to talk to people around the world.

“I have the coordinates of certain pictures I like taken from space, and I want to see those places in person,” she said. “And I want to see the place where I grew up in Iran, where I first looked up at the stars.”

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Dubai: meet first pakistani female space tourist gearing up for flight with a 17-year-old ticket, namira salim will make spaceflight history next month, rendering the nearly two-decade delay worth the wait.

Angel Tesorero

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The long wait is finally over. Come October 5, Namira Salim will go sub-orbital on a Virgin Galactic flight that she purchased as one of the pioneering space tourists 17 years ago. She will become the first female UAE resident and Pakistan's first female space tourist.

For Namira, the almost two decades of waiting will no longer matter as she will make spaceflight history next month. Her trip will not only be a realisation of her life-long dream of going to the edge of space and back, but will also bolster the popularisation of space tourism.

Khaleej Times caught up with Namira at her Dubai residence on Thursday, a couple of days before travelling to the launch site at Spaceport America in New Mexico. She was relaxed and composed when she narrated the preparations and adventures she has done before the flight. But she turned emotional when she shared the inspiration for her dream of reaching space.

It was her late father, a former Pakistani Army official, who inspired her, and it is only fitting that her upcoming flight would be dedicated to him. "My father was the one who first showed me the Pole Star. He taught me the constellations of the night sky for navigational purposes and he inspired me – at a very young age – to reach for the stars," Namira told Khaleej Times while holding a brooch she personally designed in the form of Ursa Minor or Little Dipper.

"I grew up as a little girl in Pakistan looking up at the night sky. And when we moved to the UAE in the 1980s, I also spent my youth looking up the stars," she added.

That inspired Namira to dream big and become adventurous. In 2006, she became the first UAE resident to purchase a suborbital flight ticket from Sir Richard Branson's space venture. She paid $200,000, which was less than half the reported current price of $450,000 for a seat on a Virgin Galactic flight. Between then and now, she kept her adventurous self busy by conquering the North and South Poles. She also became the first Asian and first Pakistani to skydive over Mount Everest.

For her achievements, Namira was recognised as the first Pakistani astronaut by the government of Pakistan in 2006, and she served as honourary ambassador of tourism for Pakistan the following year. She also became a peace activist and was conferred with 'Tamgha-e-Imtiaz' (Medal of Excellence) in 2011 by the President of Pakistan.

Namira also holds great pride in representing three countries – the UAE, Pakistan and Monaco (where Namira is also a long-time resident) – for her upcoming space flights. Explaining some of the elements of the Galactic Four mission patch, Namira said the little girl pointing to the stars represents her, and the crescent moon represents Pakistan. The patch also symbolises the crew who are working together for the betterment of humanity.

On their way up, the passengers will experience up to four times the force of the Earth's gravity, known as 4G. Then, they will enter almost zero gravity and experience four minutes of weightlessness aboard the spaceplane VSS Unity.

It would be an exhilarating experience, no doubt, Namira said and vowed that she will share more in detail when she returns back to Earth after her historic journey.

• UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi reveals why mother's letter, sent to him in space, was 'most amazing thing'
• UAE's space 'journey will never halt': 4 years ago today, the first Emirati astronaut blasted off to ISS
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UAE: Second batch of astronauts to graduate next month

Out of a pool of 4,305 applicants, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla were selected to undergo training at Nasa

Nasa's little helicopter on Mars has logged its last flight

Ingenuity logged 72 flights over three years, accumulating more than two hours of flight time, travelling 18km — more than 14 times farther than planned

space 3 months ago -->

Preparing for Mars: MBRSC to commence second Analog study on Jan 26

It includes 180 days of research work across four phases with Emirati crew commencing participation in Phase 2

UAE team begins construction of Gateway Lunar Space Station

As part of the mission, UAE's space engineers will build a 10-tonne 'Crew and Science' airlock, the entry and exit point for astronauts on the Gateway

Nasa loses contact with its mini-helicopter on Mars

The agency's engineers are attempting to re-establish communications with Ingenuity

Turkey's first astronaut, 3 others arrive at space station

The rendezvous came about 37 hours after the Axiom quartet's Thursday evening lift-off in a rocketship from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre

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Researching the mechanisms behind anemia. How changes in muscles influence lower back pain. Consequences of space radiation on ISS crew members and different species of microbes that have made a home for themselves on the space station.

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Author Interviews

Space tourist launches into book.

When Anousheh Ansari was a little girl in Tehran, she used to sleep on her family's balcony and look up at the stars as they twinkled over Mt. Damavand. In 2006, she became the first self-funded woman to fly on the International Space Station. She talks to host Scott Simon about her travels into space and about her new book, My Dream of Stars .

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Anousheh ansari dreams of stars.

Copyright © 2010 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

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AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

How to be a space tourist.

Beth Moses, the chief astronaut instructor at Virgin Galactic, will train the people who want to fly on SpaceShipTwo.

Karin Leperi

On February 22, 2019, Beth Moses embarked on her first test flight aboard SpaceShipTwo, which was flown by David Mackay, Virgin Galactic’s chief test pilot, and Mike Masucci, the company’s lead trainer pilot. The successful launch gave Moses the distinction of becoming the first female commercial astronaut. “It happened because I dared to dream big,” says Moses.

As Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, Moses is responsible for designing the training program, equipment, and facilities at New Mexico’s Spaceport America to prepare space tourists to journey aboard SpaceShipTwo. Moses is also responsible for developing cabin procedures and leading the cabin test system. These duties require her to blend engineering with ergonomics, and her test flight provided her with the empirical data to refine the curriculum. Karin Leperi, a writer and photographer with bylines in over 150 outlets, interviewed Moses in May.

Leperi: How did you get your current job?

Moses: One day while working for NASA [as the extravehicular activity system manager for the International Space Station], I heard that Virgin Galactic was hosting a movie premiere at Spaceport America [in southern New Mexico] and seeking volunteers to tidy up the building, which was still under construction. I had been following the commercial space industry, and was thrilled at a chance to see Spaceport America before it was open. So I signed up for the event, took vacation, and did odd jobs [there] for a few days. I clearly recall one moment on the second floor, looking over the runway: I had a vision of the spaceport in full bloom, launching people to space regularly. I was hooked. One night, I searched online for job openings at Virgin Galactic. I spotted chief astronaut instructor. I applied that night, and was ultimately hired. The hardest day of my career was leaving NASA, but the best day was being hired by Virgin Galactic [which aims to be the world’s first commercial passenger spaceline before the end of the year].

Tell me about your February 22 test flight to suborbital space.

I was privileged to be the first person selected to fly to space, unstrap, and evaluate all aspects of the SpaceShipTwo cabin. I constructed that test and trained myself for it alongside several independent, expert observers—a first test of both our commercial training program and a preliminary bare-bones version of our cabin.

The idea was to safely unearth any surprises associated with flying in the cabin, unstrapping, and strapping back in. The test went like clockwork. Thankfully, there were no showstoppers, but there are many small improvements that can be made. I’m rolling those into upcoming cabin tests, and I hope to reduce the total number of tests needed before commercial service.

Can you describe the passenger experience for future space tourists aboard SpaceShipTwo?

On launch day, you’ll arrive around sunrise with your fellow astronauts. You’ll take your seat, check your comm, and get comfortable. The cabin is roomy and bright, with 17 large windows. The mothership will take off from the runway like a normal airplane and carry you up to launch altitude, where you’ll hear a countdown—“3, 2, 1, release.” You’ll freefall for a moment. Then the rocket motor lights, and you are pushed backwards in your seat as SpaceShipTwo goes supersonic. The cabin turns a murky purple as you leave the atmosphere, and then you are lying on your back riding a rocket going up and up. The motor stops, and everything is silent. You are now weightless. You can unbuckle and float around and find your favorite window while the spacecraft coasts upward until it reaches apogee, where you can see Earth’s curves and the sky is darker than black. Slowly, you begin to descend, and the pilots will ask you to float back to your seat. You’ll be pressed down slightly as the ship enters the atmosphere. The sky turns blue again, and you glide back to the same runway you launched from.

Are there any height, weight, or age restrictions?

Nothing drastic. We aim to open space to all. There is no upper age limit, but due to [Federal Aviation Administration] regulations those signed up at a younger age must wait until they are 18 to fly. The seat has an upper weight limit too, but you are unlikely to be too heavy unless you are a sumo wrestler.

Did your trip to space give you a new perspective about life on Earth?

I have found an increasing sense of relaxation: Does it really matter if someone is being prickly in this meeting? Nah. We’re all just people. My trip to space has also given me a new sense of belonging. I am a human on the Earth—that’s huge and amazing. I am a human on the Earth—that’s tiny and insignificant. I am simply—gratefully—a human on the Earth. We all are. And we all belong.

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History Fangirl

The Ultimate History Travel Blog Since 2015

Space Tourism in Houston, Texas

Last Updated on: 9th August 2021, 11:11 pm

While the History Fangirl Podcast has typically gone around the world to find the most fascinating stories, today we’re taking our eyes off the Earth and casting our gaze starward. Today’s guest is Valerie Stimac, an accomplished travel writer in her own right, who has started a unique site at spacetravelguide.com. While she isn’t quite making recommendations for the burgeoning field of travel into space, Valerie does specialize in covering travel destinations that are of interest to space geeks around the world. In this week’s episode we talk about the history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, how Houston became such an important part of its mission, and what happened on the ground during the most dramatic moments in American space exploration.

We have liftoff

Valerie provides the Cliffs Notes version of NASA history in this week’s episode of the History Fangirl Podcast, starting with its founding in 1958, following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s signing of the National Aeronautics and Space Act. NASA started with a budget of about $100 million and three large facilities and two small research facilities. But in 1963, it was clear those facilities would not be able to handle all of the development that needed to happen (Langley Aeronautical Laboratory in Virginia you may remember from the movie Hidden Figures ), which led to the establishment of what was eventually called Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Houston, we have a space center

When the U.S. federal government was looking for a city where they could build a mission-critical space center, it wasn’t too unlike the way corporations now search for their headquarters. They had various cities wooing them, and NASA factored in several different facets when conducting their search: it had to be near a big city, it had to be near a large university with resources for research, etc. And it had to be away from other NASA centers around D.C. and Florida. We couldn’t have all of our brain trust in one place for, well, safety reasons.

Phoning home

If you quote or paraphrase any astronaut (as I did above), you’re likely quoting mission control in Houston, or something an astronaut said to them. “Houston, the eagle has landed,” “Houston, we have a problem”; those are quotes from two different Apollo missions. As Valerie tells me in this episode, with all manned spacecraft being operated from Houston, some of the most iconic moments in space have filtered through Johnson Space Center. Of course Johnson is much more than mission control, there are numerous buildings in the complex that includes engineering and simulation and more, all of which can be called upon to help solve problems in space.

Mission control

The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas is an amazing place that for the last 60 years has launched some of the most incredible feats of human ingenuity, and helped those feats stay on track once they’re out of our atmosphere. As Valerie tells me in this episode, you can actually visit the historic mission control center where NASA staffers on the ground kept Apollo astronauts in the heavens alive. But that’s just the beginning of what you can see there. It’s a truly rare historic site, and even if you don’t think of Houston as a historic city, the space center is a must-see.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:07] Why Valerie founded SpaceTourismGuide.com
• [5:39] Brief history of NASA
• [10:09] How Houston got a space center
• [16:03] Important historic events at Johnson
• [22:06] How Houston helped Apollo 13
• [27:16] How it became a tourist attraction
• [28:48]] What to see at the space center

Resources Mentioned

• Space Tourism Guide
• Space Tourism Guide Twitter
• Johnson Space Center

Connect With Stephanie

• [email protected]
• https://historyfangirl.com
• Support Stephanie on Patreon

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Watch CBS News

Florida company offers luxury trip to space for $125,000 price tag

By Khristopher J. Brooks

June 23, 2021 / 6:27 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

For a mere $125,000, you, too, can purchase a trip to ascend some 20 miles into Earth's upper atmosphere on board a luxury space balloon. 

Space Perspective, a human space flight company in Florida, on Wednesday began selling tickets for its inaugural voyage way high into the sky at $125,000 a pop. The trip is scheduled for late 2024 aboard the Spaceship Neptune, a hot air balloon-style craft lifted by hydrogen. Anyone interested in the trip must pay a $1,000 deposit. 

The company said it plans to send eight passengers on a "leisurely" ascension into space from a launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a excursion in which they will reportedly travel up to 20 miles above the Earth's surface for a "profoundly life-changing" experience. 

"Throughout the six-hour journey, all guests will enjoy the best reclining seats in the house to soak in the 450-mile, 360-degree view, an open call on dress, champagne, and a bathroom," Space Perspective said in a press release. 

While civilians have flown as guests or paying passengers aboard U.S. and Russian spacecraft in the past, those trips were government-sponsored missions, piloted by professional astronauts. What Space Perspective and other spaceflight companies are offering is notably different, companies have said.

Measuring at 700 feet tall, Spaceship Neptune's capsule will feature plush seating, 360-degree panoramic windows, WiFi access and other amenities. Once inflated, the space balloon that lifts the capsule will be "the size of a football stadium," Space Perspective said. 

There will be a captain on board and passengers won't require specialized training before liftoff. At its highest altitude, Spaceship Neptune will allow passengers to see the curvature of Earth against a backdrop of the sun, the company said.

Aerospace entrepreneurs Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum founded Space Perspective in 2019 with the stated goal of helping more people see Earth from its upper atmosphere. The company said it completed a successful test flight of the space balloon in Titusville, Florida, earlier this month. 

Poynter and MacCallum said during a press conference last year that they also planned to send research teams "to the edge of space" using Spaceship Neptune. 

Poynter and MacCallum are one of many players in the emerging space tourism industry and, so far, their spaceflight package is the relative bargain of the bunch. Jeff Bezos' aerospace company Blue Origin, auctioned off one seat aboard its New Shepard spacecraft earlier this month for a  galactic sum of $28 million . Bezos himself also plans to board the New Shepard on its first crewed flight .

"I want to go on this flight because it's the thing I've wanted to do all my life," Bezos said in an Instagram post earlier this month . "It's an adventure. It's a big deal for me."

Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is expected to begin trips to space early next year.  Tickets  are more than $250,000 each and Branson's company has  reportedly  sold more than 600 seats. Virgin Galactic in March  revealed  the VSS Imagine, the first in a growing fleet of spacecrafts it plans to use for space tourism.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk's SpaceX has already  sold  tickets for a private, 10-day space ride to the International Space Station. That trip is slated to launch later this year. Tickets sold for  $55 million  each.

A 2019 UBS analysis projected space tourism will be valued at $3 billion by 2030. The larger space industry is expected to be worth $805 billion by that same year, UBS said.

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

I spent 9 months traveling the world. I had a great time, but I'd never do it again.

• I spent nine months traveling the world , and I wouldn't do it again despite having a great time.
• Because I was on a tight budget, I often found myself turning down cool experiences to save money.
• I also struggled to make genuine friendships and missed having a space to call my own.

When I was working remotely in 2021, my boyfriend and I packed up and traveled to 22 countries across Europe and Latin America.

Although these were some of the best days of my life, I quickly learned that a lot of the videos I saw on social media that glorified full-time travel didn't always showcase the downfalls of the lifestyle.

More and more people are becoming digital nomads — countries like Italy have even implemented specific visas for remote workers. But during my nine months abroad, I learned that the lifestyle isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Here's why I wouldn't travel full time again.

I found myself constantly looking for places and experiences that felt like home

While traveling full time, I found myself constantly looking for places and experiences that felt like home.

In some ways, it was cool to feel like a local in a new city. However, when I returned home and took shorter vacations, I started to value the places I was visiting for their differences rather than trying to find some semblance of home.

Related stories

Nowadays, I like having a home base. Shorter trips help me to break up the monotony of life without sacrificing the comfort of home.

It felt like I was constantly thinking about money

When I was traveling full-time, I was on a strict budget . I either drained my wallet or ate cheap food to maintain some sort of financial security while on the road.

I talked myself out of going to every museum I wanted to and purchased cheap meals for dinner instead of indulging in local cuisine that might have been out of my budget.

The moments I would slip up on my spending were when I forgot this wasn't a never-ending vacation, but rather, my new everyday life.

During the first two weeks of our trip, I wanted to go to all of the must-try restaurants in Paris . However, I soon realized that came at the cost of establishing a strict daily budget for the remainder of our three weeks there.

Of course, it was worth it in the end to save money so that I could travel for nine months. However, now that I take a few shorter trips a year, I have more flexibility to make them everything I want them to be.

My friendships at home changed, and the new ones I made were fleeting

I think what travelers yearn for the most is community. When I was traveling, it was really hard to find the same quality of friends that I have at home.

When I did meet friends abroad, it was often short-lived. I found that many people traveling full time were only in a city for a few days. Even when I did find someone I connected with, it was hard to maintain a long-distance friendship.

Traveling full time also took a lot out of my friendships at home, as it seemed like they learned to live without me.

When I returned home, it felt like we didn't have as much in common as we used to. It took me months to get my friendships back to where they were before I left.

I missed having a space to call my own

While traveling, I stayed in 25 different places across nine months. Although seeing so many new places was cool, I missed having a space to call my own.

After spending so many nights in beds that weren't my own, it was an indescribable feeling to come back home. In fact, when I got back, I was able to create a space that took inspiration from the places I'd been.

I think traveling is something everyone should prioritize, but there are ways to see the world that don't involve doing it full time.

Nowadays, I plan to take at least four international trips a year, ranging from one to two weeks. This allows me to live a travel-filled life without giving up the comforts of home, career, and relationships.

Watch: Exclusive interview with Elon Musk on Twitter fame, loneliness, and the future of AI

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Valentina Tereshkova: First woman in space

In 1963 Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to journey to space orbiting Earth in the Vostok 6 space capsule.

Early life and joining the Soviet Space Program

The vostok 6 mission, after space: personal life and politics, valentina tereshkova faqs, famous quotes, additional resources, bibliography.

Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space on June 16, 1963, when she orbited Earth as part of the Vostok 6 mission. 

Tereshkova spent almost three days in space during her solo mission.

She remains the youngest woman to fly to space, the only female astronaut or cosmonaut to make a solo space journey, and the first civilian to journey to space.

Following her one and only space mission, Tereshkova has received a number of prestigious medals and has held many political positions, according to the Royal Museum of Greenwich . She has also toured the world as an advocate for Soviet science. 

Related: 20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics

Valentina Tereshkova was born Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova to a peasant family in Maslennikovo, Russia, on March 6, 1937, according to History.com. Her father was a tractor driver, while her mother worked in a textile factory, the European Space Agency (ESA) says. During her early years, She received little in the way of formal education, and she went to work in a textile factory at just 18. Her father was killed in World War II.

Tereshkova's life changed course when she was 22 and made her first parachute jump with a local aviation club, the Yaroslavl Air Sports Club. She would go on to make over 150 jumps, according to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum . Her passion for skydiving brought her to the attention of the Soviet space program.

In April 1961, the program launched Yuri Gagarin , the first human in space, and Soviet Chief Designer Sergey Korolyov was keen to follow this by flying the first woman to space. According to NASA , in 1962, a Soviet space delegation visited the U.S. and came away with the impression that the country was in the process of selecting female astronauts and that a woman from America would journey to space very soon. 

Up until this point, the astronauts and cosmonauts selected by the U.S. and by the Soviet Union had been picked from pools of military jet pilots, but according to NASA in the 1950s and early 1960s, these were exclusively male. On 16 February 1962 , five women were selected from 400 applicants to join the cosmonaut corps: Tatyana Kuznetsova, Irina Solovyova, Zhanna Yorkina, Valentina Ponomaryova, and Valentina Tereshkova. The group then spent several months training for space flight, including exposure to near weightlessness , isolation tests, and centrifugal testing. They also underwent pilot training in jet aircraft and made 120 parachute jumps, according to ESA.

Four of the candidates passed examinations in Nov. 1962 and were commissioned as lieutenants in the Soviet Air Force. This was just an honorary rank which means Tereshkova was a civilian when she journeyed to space. 

At the time, cosmonauts had to parachute from their capsules seconds before they hit the ground on returning to Earth . This was considered one of the most challenging aspects of the Vostok series of missions. It was believed that Tereshkova's experience skydiving would be favorable for this element of the mission. NASA suggests that the other potential female cosmonauts were more technically qualified than Tereshkova, but she better fit the image of a Soviet proletariat and thus made a better political candidate. The space race , was, after all, a political game, with much of the Soviet Union's reason for sending a woman to space rooted in in the desire to do this before the U.S. just had the Soviets had done with Gargarin. 

The Soviet Union initially intended to launch two woman cosmonauts into space in late 1962, but the missions were delayed. In March 1963, it was decided that male cosmonaut, Valeri Bykovsky would fly Vostok 5, a separate spacecraft but part of the same dual flight mission as the Vostok 6 capsule, which would be crewed by Tereshkova. Her radio call sign on the mission would be 'Chaika' or 'seagull.'

Vostok 5 and Bykovsky launched ahead of Vostok 6 on June 14, 1963, with Tereshkova watching on as she made final preparations for the launch of Vostok 6. Vostok 6 would blast off two days later on June 16, 1963, from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Vostok 6 was guided by an automatic control system, so Tereshkova never actually took control of the craft during the flight. Though Vostok 5 and 6 had different orbits, they came within around 3 miles of each other during their respective flights. This allowed Tereshkova and Bykovsky to communicate briefly with each other before they drifted apart again. 

During the flight of Vostok 6 , Tereshkova would also communicate with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, by radio, and her image was televised and broadcast across the Soviet Union. Tereshkova kept detailed logs of the mission and collected data regarding her body's reaction to spaceflight. In addition to this, the first female cosmonaut captured images of Earth, some of which would later be used to identify aerosol layers in our planet's atmosphere.

The Vostok 6 mission lasted 71 hours and 12 minutes, just 48 minutes short of three days. At the time, that was longer than the combined flight time of every U.S. Mercury astronaut. During those three days in space, Tereshkova made 48 orbits of Earth. 

On June 19, 1963, Vostok 6 re-entered Earth's atmosphere , and Tereshkova ejected at an altitude of 20,000 feet and parachuted safely back to Earth. Vostok 5 would safely return to Earth just a few hours later. 

Tereshkova never returned to space . The female cosmonaut group was disbanded in Oct. 1969, and it would take the Soviet Union another 19 years to send a female cosmonaut to space. In 1982, Svet lana Savitskaya became the second Russian woman in space. 

Following her return to Earth, Tereshkova was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Hero of the Soviet Union awards. In Nov. 1963, she married fellow cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev, the pair had a daughter in 1964. 

Together Tereshkova and Nikolayev made various trips abroad to promote goodwill and Soviet science. They separated in 1979, but their divorce was only formalized in 1982 as it required the personal permission of Soviet Premier Brezhnev.

During reviews to return to space in 1978, Tereshkova met a military medical physician called Yuliy Shaposhnikov. Following her separation from Nikolayev, Tereshkova, and Shaposhnikov lived together for 20 years until his death in 1999. 

Before the fall of the Soviet Union , Tereshkova was a prominent member of the Communist Party and represented the Soviet government at a number of meetings of international women's organizations, including acting as Soviet representative to the UN Conference for the International Women's Year in Mexico City in 1975. She would be recognized internationally with the United Nations Gold Medal of Peace, the Simba International Women's Movement Award, and the Joliot-Curie Gold Medal.

Tereshkova became a member of the World Peace Council in 1966. She served as a member of the Yaroslavl Supreme Soviet in 1967 and as a member of the council of the Union of the Supreme Soviet from 1966 to 1970 and then again from 1970 to 1974 when Tereshkova was elected to the presidium of the Supreme Soviet. In 1977 she earned a doctorate in aeronautical engineering.

During the 1980s, Tereshkova acted as Deputy to the Supreme Soviet and was Vice President of the International Women's Federation, as well as holding a number of other international positions. Tereshkova remained active in politics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Her last political position to date was as Deputy Chair for the Committee for International Affairs in 2021.

How old was Valentina Tereshkova when she went to space?

Tereshkova was just 26 when she flew into space. She remains the youngest woman to make such a journey.  

What are three interesting facts about Valentina Tereshkova?

1. Tereshkova married fellow cosmonaut and Vostok 3 crew member Andriyan Nikolayev in November 1963.

2. The daughter of Tereshkova and Nikolayev, Yelena, was born in June 1964 and was the firstborn to two parents who had journeyed to space. 

3. Even at 86 years old, Tereshkova wants to be the first woman to travel to Mars , even if this is a one-way trip, according to NASA .  

What happened to Valentina Tereshkova after the mission to space?

After her journey to space and before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tereshkova was an official head of State and has held several political positions since, including Deputy Chair for the Committee for International Affairs in Russia. She was elected as a member of the World Peace Council in 1966.  

"A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human spaceflight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women."

"If women can be railroad workers in Russia, why can't they fly in space?"

"Once you've been in space, you appreciate how small and fragile the Earth is."

"Anyone who has spent any time in space will love it for the rest of their lives. I achieved my childhood dream of the sky."

"They forbade me from flying, despite all my protests and arguments. After being once in space, I was keen to go back there. But it didn't happen."

Read more about the Vostok 6 spacecraft that carried Tereshkova to space in these NASA resources . The often strange story of the Soviet Space Program is told here in this YouTube video . The first U.S. woman to make it to space was Sally Ride. You can read more about her and her mission courtesy of NASA .  

Valentina Tereshkova and Sally Ride - Women Space Pioneers, NASA, [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/valentina-tereshkova-and-sally-ride-women-space-pioneers ]

Who was the first woman in space? Royal Observatory Greenwich, [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/who-was-first-woman-space ]

First woman in space: Valentina, ESA [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_history/50_years_of_humans_in_space/First_woman_in_space_Valentina ]

Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space, History. Com. [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-woman-in-space ]

Valentina Tereshkova, Britannica, [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Valentina-Tereshkova ]

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Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.

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From spring offensive to charm offensive: The Taliban are working to woo tourists to Afghanistan

Afghans work in the garden of the renovated Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Siddiqullah Alizai/AP)

KABUL, Afghanistan — Around 30 men are crammed into a Kabul classroom, part of the debut student cohort at a Taliban-run institute training tourism and hospitality professionals.

It’s a motley crew. One student is a model. Another is 17 and has no job history.

The students vary in age, education level and professional experience. They’re all men — Afghan women are banned from studying beyond sixth grade — and they don’t know anything about tourism or hospitality. But they are all eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan. And the Taliban are happy to help.

Afghanistan’s rulers are pariahs on the global stage, largely because of their restrictions on women and girls. The economy is struggling, infrastructure is poor, and poverty is rife.

And yet, foreigners are visiting the country, encouraged by the sharp drop in violence, increased flight connections with hubs like Dubai, and the bragging rights that come with vacationing in an unusual destination. The numbers aren’t huge — they never were — but there’s a buzz around Afghan tourism.

In 2021, there were 691 foreign tourists. In 2022, that figure rose to 2,300. Last year, there were 7,000.

Mohammad Saeed, the head of the Tourism Directorate in Kabul, said the biggest foreign visitor market is China because of its proximity and large population. Afghanistan also has advantages over some of its neighbors.

“They’ve told me they don’t want to go to Pakistan because it’s dangerous and they get attacked. The Japanese have said this to me also,” Saeed said. “This is good for us.”

But there are disadvantages, too.

Visas are difficult and expensive to access. Many countries severed ties with Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power, and no country recognizes them as the legitimate rulers of the country.

Afghan embassies either closed or suspended their operations. There’s an ongoing power struggle between Afghanistan’s embassies and consulates staffed by people from the former Western-backed administration, and those under the Taliban administration’s full control.

Saeed concedes there are obstacles for Afghan tourism to develop but said he was working with ministries to overcome them.

His ultimate aim is to have a visa on arrival for tourists, but that could be years away. There are problems with the road network, which is half-paved or non-existent in some parts of the country, and airlines largely avoid Afghan airspace.

The capital Kabul has the most international flights, but no Afghan airport has direct routes with major tourist markets like China, Europe, or India.

Despite the challenges, Saeed wants Afghanistan to become a tourism powerhouse, an ambition that appears to be backed by the Taliban’s top leaders.

“I have been sent to this department on the instructions of the elders (ministers). They must trust me because they’ve sent me to this important place.”

The students also have aspirations. The model, Ahmed Massoud Talash, wants to learn about Afghanistan’s picturesque spots for Instagram posts and its history for media appearances.

Business school graduate Samir Ahmadzai wants to open a hotel but thinks he should know more about tourism and hospitality first.

“They hear that Afghanistan is backwards, poverty and all about war,” said Ahmadzai. “We have 5,000 years of history. There should be a new page of Afghanistan.”

Classes include Afghan handicrafts and anthropology basics.

An unofficial subject is how to interact with foreign women and how their behavior or habits could clash with local customs and edicts. Examples might be women smoking or eating in public, to mixing freely with men who are not related to them by blood or marriage.

The Taliban have imposed a dress code for women and requirements for them to have a male guardian, or mahram, when they travel. Dining alone, traveling alone, and socializing with other women in public have become harder. With gyms closed to women and beauty salons banned, there are fewer places where they can meet outside the home.

In a sign that the country is preparing for more overseas visitors, the country’s only five-star hotel, the Serena, has reopened its women’s spa and salon for foreign females after a monthslong closure.

Foreigners must show their passport to access services. Women with “born in Afghanistan” on their ID are barred.

The restrictions on Afghan women and girls weigh on overseas travel companies, who say they try to focus on the positive aspect of cultural interactions by making donations, supporting local projects or only visiting family-run businesses.

Shane Horan, the founder of Rocky Road Travel, said visiting Afghanistan should not be seen as an endorsement of any particular government or political regime.

“Ultimately, the goal should be to support responsible tourism practices that contribute positively to the local economy and foster mutual respect and understanding, while also remaining cognizant of the broader political context in Afghanistan.”

He said there was no input from authorities about what tour groups saw or did, and that the company worked closely with a women’s rights organization in Afghanistan. A percentage of the tour cost went into supporting this organization’s programs, Horan added.

There are no women at the Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management. The students don’t mention it. But an official at the Tourism Directorate does.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation,” said the official, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. “Even female family members ask if they can study here. But there was a change in policy with the change in government. The women who were studying before (the takeover) never came back. They never graduated.”

previous coverage

• Pakistan and Iran vow to enhance efforts at a ‘united front’ against Afghanistan-based militants
• Far from home, 3 Afghan brothers find joy in lacrosse
• Clearing a Taliban compound in Afghanistan, 2015
• Security forces kill 11 militants in northwest region bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan military says
• I went to Afghanistan to see my dying mom and found too many are dying in silence

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Middle schoolers who protested trans athlete’s participation are banned from future competitions.

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Five West Virginia middle schoolers who protested a transgender athlete’s participation in a track and field competition have been barred from future meets — prompting the state attorney general to ask the US Supreme Court to weigh in on transgender student-athlete bans for a second time.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a lawsuit against the Harrison County Board of Education on the dissenting students’ behalf after they were blocked from upcoming meets following their protests at the April 18 shot put competition, West Virginia Watch reported.

Five girls from Lincoln Middle School stepped up to the circle for their turn before refusing to throw in the event, which was won by Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 13-year-old girl who takes puberty-blocking medication and estrogen hormone therapy.

While West Virginia law bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams, a recent federal appeals court ruled that the law couldn’t lawfully be applied to the eighth-grader.

Judge Toby Heytens wrote that offering her a “choice” between not participating in sports and participating only on boys’ teams “is no real choice at all.”

Despite the ruling, Morrisey has rallied against both the ruling and the treatment of the student-athletes who protested competing against Becky.

“Their actions at the earlier track meet were not disruptive or aggrandizing. They were the quiet demonstration of the student-athletes’ evident unhappiness with the competitive consequences of a federal appellate court’s decision,” Morrisey, a Republican currently primarying for governor, wrote in the amicus brief filed April 26. 

Joined by one of Becky’s classmates on Wednesday, Morrisey said he plans to ask the US Supreme Court to hear the case involving the state’s restrictions on transgender student-athletes for a second time.

Former  collegiate swimmer-turned-activist Riley Gaines , who has been an outspoken critic of trans athletes participating in girls’ sporting events, has weighed in on the issue, writing, “These girls stood up for what they believed and their coach barred them from competing. Insane” in a post on X on Monday.

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Morrisey quote-tweeted Gaines’ message, noting he plans to do “everything in my power to defend these brave young girls.”

“This is just wrong. We must stand for what’s right and oppose these radical trans policies. Thanks to @Riley_Gaines_ for her leadership on this critical issue.”

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Money latest: Changes to Spotify and energy bills announcement - key money dates in May

As April rolls into May, we take a look at the key money dates to add to your calendar this month - including Spotify price changes and an energy price cap announcement. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 10:36, UK

• Key dates for Spotify customers, energy bills, free childcare and interest rates in May
• Cheapest dates, and days of week, to fly this summer
• Wait for interest rate cut leads to surprise dip in house price growth

Essential reads

• Turns out supermarket boss was right about self-checkouts
• State pensions 'could be in doubt for future generations'
• One of UK's top chefs reveals best Cheap Eats in Norfolk - and cling film tip for amazing cabbage
• Money Problem : 'Builders won't repair dodgy work - what are my rights?'
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches

Ask a question or make a comment

Are you struggling because of high interest rates? Sky News is keen to hear from people who are due to refix their mortgages this year or are on a variable rate or tracker mortgage or trying to get on the housing ladder. 

Email us your stories at  [email protected]  - or WhatsApp us  here .

As April rolls into May, let's take a look at the key money dates to add to your calendar this month. 

A small note before we jump in - May is a month with a couple of bank holidays, so if any of your benefits payments would normally fall on those days, you'll get the money on the previous working day instead.

1 May - Prescription price change

The cost of your NHS prescription increases by 25p today - from £9.65 to £9.90.

Repeat prescription customers can apply for a prepayment certificate (PPC) which charges a fixed amount for a set period of prescriptions.

However, the cost of a one-year PCC will also rise to £114.50 from £111.60 - a rise of almost £3.

9 May - Interest rate decision 

Next week, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet for its latest review of interest rates. 

The MPC has decided to freeze the base rate at 5.25% over recent months.

While nothing is guaranteed, the BoE is widely expected among economists to hold the rate once again - thought to be waiting for inflation to get closer to the Bank's 2% target. 

12 May - Free childcare applications open

From 12 May, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old will be able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

You won't be able to claim the hours until September. 

Check if you're eligible here . 

15 May - Subway loyalty points changes

Sandwich giant Subway has outlined a series of measures in its branches regarding its loyalty schemes. 

Customers have until 14 May to use the current scheme before it changes to a new app-only loyalty scheme. 

From 15 May, any points will expire and become unredeemable.

May 24 - Energy price cap announcement

Regulator Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap for the period 1 July to 30 September.

The current price cap (£1,690 a year) is expected by analysts at Cornwall Insights to fall by just over £100 to around £1,559 for the average household per year. 

Spotify hikes 

As we reported in the Money blog, Spotify will hike its prices by around £2 per month...

Depending on a customer's billing date, payment change to the higher rate will fall in either May or June. 

Spotify has said it will email existing customers with one-month's notice of the increase.

By James Sillars , business reporter

A piece of good news to bring you: a welcome fall in oil costs.

A barrel of Brent crude started the week close to $88.

It is trading at $85 today after three days of declines – the latest in Asian trading today.

The major move lower, however, came yesterday afternoon.

Analysts credited increasing hopes of a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East and on rising US crude inventories and production.

It's been another positive start to the day for the FTSE 100 - rising 0.1% to 8.157 points in early deals.

The index has started higher each session this week but, in truth, it has struggled to make big inroads since last week's record closing high.

Banks and miners are leading the way.

Next, however, was among the fallers despite posting a strong rise in full price sales.

The first quarter increase of 5.7% was above market expectations but the retailer, usually renowned for keeping expectations low and over-delivering, maintained its guidance for annual sales and profits.

Its shares were 1.2% lower.

Among the fallers in the wider market was Aston Martin Lagonda.

The luxury carmaker's stock was almost 9% down after posting bigger than expected quarterly losses.

EasyJet passengers were left scrambling to rebook flights after they were wrongly told their flights were cancelled "due to Israel". 

The airline sent emails and text messages to holidaymakers informing them their flights would not be taking off on 28 April as planned - before scrambling to let them know, an hour later, that there had been a mistake.

Amid the confusion, travellers shared their frustration on social media, with one asking: "Is this a scam? EasyJet App is not showing cancellation and has allowed me to check in."

The airline has since released a statement confirming there was a technical error.

"EasyJet can confirm that unfortunately, on 28 April, some customers received an incorrect notification stating that their flight on 30 April was cancelled," a spokesperson told Sky News.

"This was due to a technical error and all customers were quickly sent updated messages with a confirmation their flight is operating as normal. We would like to apologise for this and any inconvenience caused."

Shifting expectations for UK interest rate cuts have contributed to a dip in house price growth, according to a closely watched measure.

Nationwide reported a 0.4% fall in average property costs last month compared with March, taking the annual rate of growth to 0.6% from 1.6%.

Economists polled by the Reuters news agency had expected month-on-month growth of 0.2%.

The lender's report said the easing reflected "ongoing affordability pressures, with longer term interest rates rising in recent months, reversing the steep fall seen around the turn of the year".

Read the full story here ...

Every Wednesday we get Michelin chefs, top bloggers or critics to pick their favourite Cheap Eats where they live and at home. This week we speak to one of the most renowned chefs in the UK, Galton Blackiston of the Michelin-starred Morston Hall in Norfolk.

He's gone the extra mile in his Cheap Eats at home - uploading a how-to video to Instagram.

Hi  Galton, c an you tell us your favourite places in Norfolk where you can get a meal for two for less than £40?

Allium in Downham Market , a family run restaurant which involves mum, dad, Joe in kitchen and James front of house. Open Wednesday through to Sunday, it has a great vibe on a Saturday evening and great food.

Bure River Restaurant , a tiny restaurant on the broads in Horning cooking lovely fish dishes.

Final cheap place is the Parlour in Binham , where they have a great restaurant and you put money into an honesty box for their local cheese from the village and raw milk from their farm - a great place to visit in Norfolk.

What's your go-to cheap meal at home?

Toad in the hole with a baked potato and hispi cabbage and onion gravy.

A good tip I would say is to colour off the sausages in dripping then pour over the batter, which should be eight eggs, 250g plain flour, one pint of full fat milk, salt pepper and nutmeg. Whisk together and allow to sit for an hour til you use. 

And this is how you do the hispi cabbage with cling film over the pan...

Flight prices often rocket in the summer, but it turns out particular dates can prove cheaper. 

Research by Expedia has revealed the best dates to book your trips... 

The cheapest times to fly 

If you're flying domestic, the best dates for your wallet are 28 July, 19 August and 23 August. 

Expedia also recommends booking your domestic flights for a Wednesday to save roughly 20%. 

For those travelling internationally, the cheapest dates are 2 and 13 June, and 28 August. 

When it comes to booking, you can save about 15% if you book for a Thursday versus at the weekend. 

The quietest times to fly

If you care more about a quieter airport, the least busy dates for flying domestic are 10 June, and 11 and 19 July. 

For international flights, the best dates are 4 June, and 27 and 30 August. 

And the dates to avoid...

The most expensive domestic flights are on 30 June, and 8 and 16 July. 

International flights are pricier on 22, 23 and 29 July. 

Meanwhile, Expedia says 30 June and 24 July will be the busiest air travel days for domestic and international destinations. 

Domestic flights are busiest on 30 June, and 8 and 16 July. 

For international flights, 10, 21 and 24 June are the busiest. 

The advertising watchdog has banned a Premier Inn ad for misleading claims about room prices. 

A paid-for search ad for the hotel chain, seen on 4 November, had stated: "Premier Inn Edinburgh - rooms from only £35 per night."

It was referred to the advertising watchdog after a reader complained they couldn't find any rooms at the advertised price. 

Whitbread Group, trading as Premier Inn, provided the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with data showing there were a total of 377 rooms on offer for £35 in Edinburgh within the 365-day booking window.

But the ASA said customers would understand the ad to mean a significant proportion of rooms available would be £35.

Read the full story, including Premier Inn's response, here ...

Taxpayers will be forced to cover £85bn of losses made by the Bank of England on its quantitative easing programme, estimates suggest. 

The £895bn bond-buying scheme was carried out between 2009 and 2021, and had aimed to support the UK during economic shocks - but it has been blamed by some for allowing inflation to take root. 

Recent chancellors have agreed to indemnify the Bank against any losses on the scheme - meaning the taxpayer will be paying for them.

Greene King is moving from its 200-year-old brewery in Bury St Edmunds. 

The pub chain will be opening a new £40m facility in a town that will produce more modern, fizzy craft beers alongside its traditional cask ales. 

The majority of Greene King's brewing will be moved to the new site, as part of a wider shift away from traditional cask beers. 

It will take about three years to complete. 

Butlin's has launched legal action against its insurance company Aviva over who foots a £60m bill.

The holiday park operator's Minehead resort was forced to close in September 2023 because of flooding caused by heavy rainfall.

It has said the incident cost the business £60m and has filed a claim at the High Court against Aviva for not covering the entire bill.

In legal documents seen by  The Telegraph , Butlins have questioned the definition of a "storm" and argued that a "named storm" had not been declared when the flooding happened.

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