On October 6, 2023, history was made as Namira Salim, a proud Pakistani, embarked on a journey beyond our planet’s atmosphere. Aboard Virgin Galactic’s ‘Galactic 04’ mission, she became the first Pakistani to venture into space. This remarkable achievement adds another chapter to Salim’s extraordinary journey as a pioneer in space exploration.
Visionary Explorer
Namira Salim, hailing from Karachi, Pakistan, is not a average adventurer. She is a visionary explorer who has already etched her name in the annals of history by becoming the first Pakistani to reach both the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008. Her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of human exploration led her to the final frontier: outer space.
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Virgin Galactic’s ‘Galactic 04’ Mission
The ‘Galactic 04’ mission, conducted by Virgin Galactic, marked a significant milestone in the commercial space travel industry. Launched from New Mexico’s Spaceport America, the mission saw the ‘VSS Unity’ space plane, carried by the ‘VMS Eve’ carrier craft, soar into the cosmos. Namira Salim was joined by American Ron Rosano and Briton Trevor Beattie as they embarked on this thrilling voyage of a lifetime.
Journey Beyond Earth’s Grasp
The mission commenced at approximately 8:40 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST), as ‘VMS Eve’ gracefully lifted ‘VSS Unity’ to an altitude of about 45,000 feet (13,700 meters). At 9:24 pm PST, ‘Unity’ was released into the vast expanse of space. With its onboard rocket motor, ‘Unity’ propelled itself into suborbital space, defying Earth’s gravitational pull. As they breached the boundaries of our planet, Salim, Rosano, and Beattie experienced a surreal moment of weightlessness, gazing in awe at the breathtaking view of our planet from the vantage point of space.
Touching Down at Spaceport America
Their exhilarating flight came to a close at 9:43 pm PST when ‘VSS Unity’ safely touched down at Spaceport America in New Mexico. It was a moment of triumph and jubilation as Namira Salim, the first Pakistani to venture into space, returned to Earth, carrying with her the dreams and aspirations of a nation.
Space Trust and the Future
Namira Salim’s accomplishments extend beyond her historic spaceflight. As the founder of Space Trust, she is committed to promoting space diplomacy and peaceful exploration of outer space. Her journey continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of space enthusiasts from Pakistan and beyond.
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Namira Salim’s journey to space with Virgin Galactic’s ‘Galactic 04’ mission is a testament to human determination and the relentless pursuit of exploration. As the first Pakistani to reach space, she has not only made her nation proud but has also become a symbol of inspiration for aspiring space explorers worldwide.