Norah Patten Prepares for Historic Space Mission with Team

A crowd of young enthusiasts gathered at the University College Dublin’s George Moore Auditorium on a chilly Friday evening, eagerly awaiting a discussion with Dr. Norah Patten, who is poised to become the first Irish person to travel into space. The event, part of a “fireside chat,” featured Dr. Shawna Pandya, a Canadian astronaut, and highlighted an upcoming mission that will see the two doctors, alongside Dr. Kellie Gerardi, launch aboard Virgin Galactic’s commercial spacecraft, Delta, for research purposes in March 2024.

The auditorium buzzed with anticipation, especially among the younger attendees. With an audience primarily consisting of excited children, the atmosphere became charged with energy as they waited for the speakers to take the stage. The eagerness of the crowd was palpable, with one young boy repeatedly asking his mother when the talk would begin, expressing impatience for the event to start.

Dr. Patten, an aeronautical engineer from Co Mayo, works with Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Coolock and specializes in microgravity environments. As she and Dr. Pandya made their entrance, the audience erupted into applause. Dressed in black boiler suits adorned with various logos and the flags of Ireland and Canada, the two women embodied the spirit of exploration.

During the discussion, Dr. Patten engaged the children by asking if they were aware of another name for microgravity flights. Some children eagerly raised their hands, sharing their thoughts, but Dr. Patten humorously corrected them, revealing that these flights are often referred to as the “vomit comet.” The audience responded with laughter as she explained the importance of preventing sickness from floating around the spacecraft.

Dr. Patten elaborated on the challenges she has faced in training for microgravity. Initially, her movements were too vigorous, resulting in unintended collisions with the spacecraft’s interior. She emphasized the need for gentle maneuvers in a microgravity environment, a lesson learned through experience.

As the conversation shifted to audience questions, a young girl inquired about the most daunting and thrilling aspects of space travel. Dr. Pandya clarified that they had yet to embark on their journey but expressed confidence in the training they were undergoing. She reassured the children that preparedness alleviates fear.

Another question came from a mother who expressed concern about the limited availability of STEM subjects for young women in the Irish education system. Dr. Patten responded by sharing her personal connection, mentioning her three-year-old daughter and her dreams of space travel. She highlighted the importance of visibility in inspiring the next generation of girls to pursue careers in science and engineering. “I hope the visibility of what we are doing will help,” she stated, adding, “the sky is not the limit.”

The event concluded with attendees invited to meet the astronauts for selfies and autographs. The children rushed forward, excited to interact with Dr. Patten, who is on the brink of making history for Ireland.

This mission represents not only a significant achievement for Dr. Patten and her team but also serves as an inspiring moment for young aspiring scientists and engineers in Ireland. The collaboration with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences and Virgin Galactic underscores a growing commitment to advancing space research and exploration. As Dr. Patten prepares for her journey, she embodies a new era of possibilities for Irish space travel.