Namira Salim, a Space Diplomat, Future Astronaut, Pioneering Polar Explorer and Artist, is a prominent Pakistani based in the Principality of Monaco since 1997. She is well renowned as the First South Asian and First person from Monaco to go to space aboard Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic –the first private space-line of the world.
In March 2006, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman Virgin Group, personally introduced Namira to the world press as one of the earliest Founders and Future Astronauts of Virgin Galactic. As an example of early consumer confidence, Namira’s membership landed Virgin its biggest investor from Abu Dhabi, worth US$380 million. In August 2006, the Government of Pakistan, officially launched Namira to the nation as the “First Pakistani Astronaut” making her an instant source of inspiration for women and youth. In October 2007, she successfully qualified to go to space after completing her spaceflight training at the worlds largest centrifuge in the United States.
Namira became the first Pakistani and first woman from Monaco and Dubai (where her parents moved in 1981), at the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008, as well as the first Asian to skydive (tandem) over Mount Everest (third pole) in October 2008. At all three poles, she hoisted the Pakistani and a universal peace flag.
In November 2015, Namira launched her non-profit organization, Space Trust to promote Space as the New Frontier for Peace. Since then she has engaged ten governments and five former and sitting Heads of State to advocate Space as a sustainable tool for peacemaking on Earth on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.
The tough girl podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Listen to Namira Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Growing up in Pakistan
Her dream of going into space
Being inspired by NASA
Keeping her motivation of going to space
Not being the person to pursue science education
Falling in love with the stars
Moving to the South of France and wanting to live in solitude
Writing poetry and spending time being creative
Calling Virgin Galactic
Paying $200,000 for a seat as a founder Astronaut
Being part of the global press launch
Being launched as the first Pakistan Astronaut
The importance of dreams
Doing astronaut training in 2007
Taking sub orbital flights
Why it’s not as challenging on the body
Taking on the poles and sky diving over Mt. Everest
The challenges of sky diving over Mt. Everest - October 2008
Waiting for the prefect weather window
The power of believing in herself
The highest drop zone in the world
Free falling during sky diving at 153mph
Managing risk
Believing in fate, destiny and God.
Being a Space Diplomat
Space as a new frontier for peace
Visiting the North Pole and dealing with the cold
Spending 3 weeks in the South Pole
Peace Expeditions and inspiring women and youth around the world
Space Trust
Space Diplomacy
O G Summit 2030
Current project
Funding projects and expeditions
Why Space can help with climate change
Final words of advice
Social Media
Websites
Personal - www.namirasalim.com
Space Trust - www.spacetrust.com
Twitter @namirasalim
Instagram @namirasalimofficial
Facebook @namirasalimofficial
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate US$5 a month to help fund the runnings costs. Thank you.
Komentarze