Dr Norah Patten
Aeronautical Engineer, IIAS Astronaut-003
I grew up in the West of Ireland, in Ballina, County Mayo. At that time, the idea or concept of flying to space was simply impossible.
Against all the odds, after many years of hard work, dedication, progressing through all available options and opportunities, in June 2024, my research spaceflight through my institute IIAS (International Institute for Astronautical Sciences) was announced.
Inspiration for pursuing a space career
So, how do we, as individuals, make a dream into a reality? My interest in space began in primary school, when I was 11 years of age, and I had the opportunity to visit NASA in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, I have continuously pushed myself to learn new things, meet new people, push my own limits and carve my own path to the stars.
After I finished secondary school, I studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Limerick and then completed my PhD in aerodynamics. I was continuously seeking opportunities and searching for conferences, networks and events I could take part in that would help me progress my space career.
For the next generation who are interested
in having a career in this sector, there
are so many ways to get involved.
Breadth of the space industry
In 2010, when I joined the International Space University, I had an opportunity to work with and learn from space lawyers, space architects, engineers, astronauts, scientists, medical doctors and business leaders, to name but a few. It gave me an insight into just how broad the space industry is, from human spaceflight to earth observation; from space transportation to communication; and from life support, research and technology to deep space science missions.
Encouraging the next generation to venture into space
I see space exploration as one of the most interesting, fascinating, innovative sectors. For the next generation who are interested in having a career in this sector, there are so many ways to get involved. For me, as I prepare to become the first Irish person to fly to space, alongside my two crewmates Dr Shawna Pandya and Kellie Gerardi, I hope that our journey will inspire you all to shoot for the stars.
We will be flying as researchers on a commercial spaceflight. Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will be busy preparing our research projects, taking part in multiple microgravity research flights, working closely with research teams and using the opportunity to reach as many people as we can on our journey. Who knows, maybe someday, some of you will join me among the stars.
