Norah Patten Aims to Make History as First Irish Space Traveler

A crowd of eager children and adults gathered in the George Moore Auditorium at University College Dublin (UCD) on a chilly evening to hear from Dr. Norah Patten, who is poised to become the first Irish person to travel into space. The event featured a “fireside chat” with Dr. Patten and her fellow astronaut, Dr. Shawna Pandya, who hails from Canada. Together, they plan to embark on a suborbital flight aboard Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft, Delta, in 2025.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as children anxiously awaited the start of the event, some expressing their impatience at the delay. “Come on! Why hasn’t it started yet? It was supposed to start 20 minutes ago,” exclaimed one young boy, his enthusiasm palpable. His curiosity reflected the energy of the audience, eager to learn from two trailblazing women in the field of space exploration.

Dr. Patten, who is originally from Co Mayo and now works with Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Dublin, shared her insights about the challenges of preparing for microgravity environments. She humorously referred to microgravity flights as the “vomit comet,” eliciting laughter from the crowd. “Believe me when I say the last thing you want is for sick to be floating around the cabin,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of preparation for their upcoming mission.

During the session, Dr. Patten detailed her experiences in microgravity simulations, describing how she initially struggled with movement in the cabin. “Even a gentle push could send me flying,” she explained, emphasizing the need for careful navigation in such conditions.

After the discussion, the floor was opened for questions, and the children eagerly raised their hands. One child asked about the scariest and most exciting aspects of space travel. Dr. Pandya clarified that they had yet to experience space but would soon embark on their journey, reaching the 100 km altitude of the internationally recognized Kármán Line. She reassured the audience that thorough training alleviates many fears associated with space travel.

A poignant moment came when a mother voiced her concerns about the lack of STEM opportunities for young girls in the Irish education system. Dr. Patten, who is a mother herself, expressed her hope that visibility in her role would inspire young girls. “I hope the visibility of what we are doing will help,” she stated. “It is important that every single one of us feeds into a different narrative… All I can do is keep showing people through what I do that the sky is not the limit.”

As the event concluded, attendees were invited to meet the astronauts for photos and autographs. The excitement in the room was unmistakable, with children rushing to the front to connect with the women who represent a new frontier in Irish space exploration. As Dr. Patten and Dr. Pandya prepared to leave, it was clear that their mission extends beyond space; they are also dedicated to inspiring the next generation.