SPACE
ASTRONAUT
The dream to go to space has always been part of my DNA.
Namira Salim, Huffington Post, 2012
Namira Salim, First Female Virgin Galactic Founder Astronaut Upon Landing Back on Earth from Space, Adorning the Pole Star Brooch Designed by her.
Namira Salim is internationally renowned as A Collector of Firsts in her capacity as the First Pakistani Astronaut, First Female Astronaut from South Asia, First Female Astronaut from the Commonwealth Nations, First Female Virgin Galactic Founder Astronaut, First Astronaut from the Principality of Monaco and First Female Astronaut from the UAE. Namira Salim made history as the First Pakistani to go to space aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 04 mission on 6th October 2023, from Spaceport America in the state of New Mexico, United States. She proudly flew the Pakistani, Monaco and UAE flags high in space. Namira Salim’s childhood dream to go to space has inspired millions of young girls, women and youth to reach for the stars.
The Galactic 04 Mission Patch features Namira Salim, pointing to the Pole Star and her Spaceship as a little girl growing up in Pakistan.
As a child, I remember how my father showed me the Pole Star and the different constellations. Ever since then, I have wanted to go (to space.)
Namira Salim, Dawn, 2019
On the way to Virgin MotherShipEve and SpaceShipTwo for my spaceflight at Spaceport America. New Mexico, USA, 6th October 2023.
Spaceport America, New Mexico, USA.
Times of India: Pakistani Woman Astronaut Gears up for Spaceflight
NBC News: Space Tourism Depends on Client Buzz
Sir Richard Branson personally introduced Namira Salim to the world press as a pioneer and an example of early consumer confidence at the advent of space tourism in 2006, which landed Virgin Galactic its biggest stakeholder worth $380 million in Aabar PJS [now the Mubadala Invested Company]. Subsequently, the Government of Pakistan launched Namira Salim to a nation of over 200 million people as the First Pakistani Astronaut in 2006.
Virgin Galactic 'Astronaut' Namira Salim Says Branson Will Still Fly To Space. Virgin Galactic Ticket Holder Defends The 'Dream Of Millions'.
Namira Salim, Huffington Post, 2014
Space Diplomat
United Nations signs MoU with Space Trust. L-R Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and Namira Salim, Founder & Executive Chairperson of Space Trust.
Since 2015 Namira Salim has been featured prominently in the global media as a Space Diplomat for promoting Space as the New Frontier for Peace on Earth, in her capacity as Founder and Executive Chairperson of Space Trust, her non-profit, non-partisan organization and as Principal of 0G2030. Space Trust supports the work of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). www.spacetrust.com
It is from space that we can rise above politics and from where all borders and boundaries dissolve.
Namira Salim, Deccan Herald, 2019
Namira Salim is currently spearheading Space Trust’s maiden mission to space, 0G Peace Mission 2030 [0G2030], also the first historic peace mission to space which will carry messages of peace and broadcast them in orbit in the voices of world leaders, peace makers, civil society and youth. 0G2030 is a STEM based capacity building initiative of Space Trust in partnership with the University of Arizona and University of Nairobi. 0G2030 has been awarded a free launch to space by the United Nations. www.0g2030.org
The idea is we want to … engage world leaders to understand that space is now inclusive for all, Space Trust founder Namira Salim … They can get involved and use space as a sustainable tool for peacemaking.
Namira Salim, Politico, 2018
Namira Salim holds an Ivy League Master degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York. She served as Pakistan’s Honourary Ambassador for tourism in 2007 and as the First Honourary Consul of Pakistan to the Principality of Monaco from 2011-2013.
Namira Salim is a role model for women internationally. Her work in the space industry, her spaceflight as a pioneering private citizen and her polar expeditions have encouraged women and youth to excel in all fields.
