Irish Astronaut Norah Patten Prepares for Historic Space Journey

A crowd of excited young attendees gathered at the University College Dublin (UCD) George Moore Auditorium on a chilly Friday evening, eager to hear from Dr. Norah Patten, who is set to become the first Irish person to travel into space. The event, intended as an engaging “fireside chat,” featured Dr. Patten alongside her fellow astronaut, Dr. Shawna Pandya from Canada. Their upcoming mission on Virgin Galactic’s commercial spacecraft, Delta, aims to advance research for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) in December 2024.

As the audience, primarily composed of children, waited impatiently for the event to begin, Dr. Patten and Dr. Pandya prepared to lead the first all-female research team into space. This mission will build on findings from a previous collaboration between IIAS and Virgin Galactic, focusing on novel healthcare technologies and the behavior of fluids in microgravity environments.

Preparing for a Journey Beyond Earth

To the delight of the audience, Prof. Kate Robson-Brown, UCD’s Vice-President for Research Innovation and Impact, announced the astronauts’ arrival. Dr. Patten and Dr. Pandya entered the auditorium wearing black boiler suits adorned with Canadian and Irish flags, receiving a standing ovation. Dr. Patten, originally from Co Mayo, is an aeronautical engineer with expertise in microgravity environments, currently working at Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Coolock, north Dublin.

During the discussion, Dr. Patten humorously engaged the children by asking if they knew another term for microgravity flights. When they suggested various answers, she revealed, “No, we actually call it the vomit comet,” prompting laughter from the audience. She explained the challenges of operating in microgravity, highlighting how even small movements can have significant consequences during such flights.

After the chat, the floor opened for questions from the eager young audience. A child asked about the most frightening and exciting aspects of space travel. Dr. Pandya clarified that they have not yet been to space but would embark on a suborbital flight that will approach the internationally recognized 100 km altitude known as the Kármán Line. She reassured the audience, stating, “There’s nothing scary when you are prepared, and that’s the best thing about training.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

The event also addressed the importance of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for young women. A mother in the audience expressed concern about the limited availability of STEM subjects for girls in the Irish education system and asked how Dr. Patten intends to advocate for greater access. Dr. Patten, who has a three-year-old daughter, shared her hope that her visibility as an astronaut will inspire young girls, saying, “It is really awesome to hear her say, ‘I am going to go to space with mummy.’ I hope the visibility of what we are doing will help.”

As the event concluded, attendees were invited to meet the astronauts for selfies and autographs. The children eagerly rushed to the front, thrilled to connect with the woman poised to make history as the first Irish astronaut.

Dr. Patten’s mission represents not just a personal achievement but also a significant step for Ireland in the realm of space exploration, showcasing the potential for future generations in science and technology.