Virgin Galactic Hosted The Most Women Flown in a Single Mission to Space

Virgin Galactic, proudly announced the successful completion of its inaugural private astronaut mission, named 'Galactic 02.' This mission marks a significant step forward in democratising access to space for a diverse global community of space enthusiasts.

Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers achieved the distinction of being the Caribbean's first astronauts and the first mother-daughter pair to venture into space.

“It is a privilege to be part of a majority-women crew making history as the most female astronauts flying to space in a single mission.”

Hailing from Antigua and Barbuda, the pair secured their spots on this historic mission through a prize draw. The mission was carried out aboard the VSS Unity, and the passengers experienced zero gravity during the journey, which lasted just over an hour.

Anastatia Mayers on the VSS Unity

During the 'Galactic 02' mission Schahaff and Mayers achieved a series of groundbreaking milestones, including:

• The first-ever female astronauts from the Caribbean.

• The pioneering feat of a mother-daughter pair traveling to space together.

• A record-breaking number of women flown in a single space mission.

• The youngest individual to venture into space.

• The inaugural majority-female crew for a spaceflight.

• The sixth and seventh Black women to journey into space.

Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson, successfully transported the ‘Space Tourists"‘ to an altitude of approximately 55 miles (88 km) above Earth during the hour-long flight.

“In my entire career, from the Air Force Academy to being a test pilot for NASA, nothing tops what I have just experienced at the controls of VSS Unity,” said VSS Unity’s pilot Kelly Latimer, “Going to space today fulfilled an ambition I’ve had since I was a child. It is a privilege to be part of a majority-women crew making history as the most female astronauts flying to space in a single mission.”

Octogenarian former Olympian, Jon Goodwin, who was also on the flight described the experience as surpassing even his wildest dreams.

18 year old student Anastatia Mayers expressed her gratitude to the University of Aberdeen by taking a university pin into space, saying, "they supported me through all of this."

Anastatia Mayers remarked that the flight experience enriched her perspective, "the experience has grounded me and awoken me - I definitely feel a lot more connected to Earth itself and a lot more motivated to explore and be even more adventurous".

'Galactic 02' marked Virgin Galactic's seventh successful spaceflight since 2018, but it was their inaugural voyage featuring tourists on board.