A mom who is ready to make historical past by flying to area on Virgin Galactic’s first official tourism flight along with her daughter has revealed how she can be fulfilling a life-long dream.
Keisha Schahaff, 46, and her 18-year-old daughter Anastatia Mayers, would be the first mom and daughter ever to make a visit to area after successful two coveted locations value $900,000 in a prize draw.
The duo – who may also make their mark as the primary astronauts from the Caribbean – are set to board VSS Unity on the New Mexico launch website for a 90-minute journey into area on August 10.
Talking to DailyMail.com, Keisha says going to area is a dream she has had for the reason that ‘tender age of two’ and within the run as much as her massive day she has been ‘savoring each second, processing the expertise, and diligently making ready for the unimaginable area journey forward.’
Keisha Schahaff, 46, and her 18-year-old daughter Anastatia Mayers, would be the first mom and daughter ever to make a visit to area after successful two coveted locations
The duo – who may also make their mark as the primary astronauts from the Caribbean – are set to board VSS Unity on the New Mexico launch website for a 90-minute journey into area on August 10
Virgin Area Ship Unity ventured on its first flight on June 29, however with out paying prospects onboard
Detailing how her fascination with area started, the Antiguan mentioned: ‘As a two-year-old I used to be fascinated by the celebrities, gazing up on the evening sky, and dreaming of venturing into area.
‘As I grew older, my curiosity in area exploration solely intensified, and I aspired to develop into an astronaut. Nevertheless, the fact of not having any avenues in my nation or the Caribbean to pursue this dream left me feeling not sure.
‘Nonetheless, my ardour for all times and the wonders of creation remained steadfast. Something associated to area ignited my curiosity. I devoured magazines, watched sci-fi motion pictures, and delved into space-related movies.’
In a bid to reside out her desires, Keisha entered a lottery draw for 2 seats with Virgin Galactic on a Virgin flight from Antigua to London in 2021 and to her amazement, she later realized she was a prize winner. To high issues off, she even acquired a shock go to from Richard Branson.
She was initially planning to take a pal however she had simply had a child, so her daughter jumped on the likelihood as a substitute.
With the countdown for his or her out-of-this-world journey now on, Keisha and Anastatia are at present collaborating in Virgin Galactic’s ‘Readiness Journey Program’ which covers all the pieces from how spaceflights work to bodily and psychological preparation.
Whereas Virgin Galactic employs rigorous security protocols and precautionary measures to make sure the security of its crew and passengers, there are nonetheless dangers concerned with a growing and at present unregulated business.
Throughout one in all Virgin Galactic’s check flights on October 31, 2014, a pilot was killed and one other injured because the SpaceShipTwo area tourism craft crashed within the California desert.
In a bid to reside out her desires, Keisha entered a lottery draw for 2 seats with Virgin Galactic on the Virgin flight from Antigua to London in 2021
Keisha says that prepping for her area mission with Virgin Galactic alongside her daughter has been a bonding expertise
Nevertheless, a lot has been completed since then to forestall such an incident from taking place once more and the Virgin Area Ship Unity options numerous security upgrades.
It ventured on its first flight on June 29, however with out paying prospects onboard.
It as a substitute carried three crewmembers of the Italian Air Drive and Nationwide Analysis Council of Italy with one astronaut teacher from Virgin Galactic.
Virgin Galactic’s first flight launched shortly after the doomed OceanGate submersible expedition, which took the lives of 5 explorers together with Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman.
Whereas the incident raised issues round excessive journey tourism, Keisha instructed DailyMail.com that the tragic occasion hasn’t made her nervous about her upcoming journey to area and he or she is ‘utterly elated.’
The mom-of-two, who works as a well being and wellness coach, mentioned: ‘This dream has been ingrained in me for so long as I can bear in mind, and having it come true feels completely priceless.
‘I can not wait to drift amongst the celebrities and expertise the weightlessness of zero gravity,’ the mom-of-two says
‘We continuously encourage and help one another, and I really feel extremely lucky to have her by my facet. As a mom, I could not be prouder and happier,’ the mother says of her daughter
‘What makes it much more extraordinary is that I’ve the possibility to signify my beloved nation, Antigua and Barbuda, and pave the way in which for our nation and group as the primary astronauts.
‘With the ability to open doorways for others to comply with their desires of turning into astronauts is really wonderful and fills my coronary heart with satisfaction and gratitude.
‘The prospect of wanting again at our lovely planet from above and experiencing the profound “overview impact” fills me with pleasure.
‘I can not wait to drift amongst the celebrities and expertise the weightlessness of zero gravity.’
Keisha says that prepping for her area mission with Virgin Galactic alongside her daughter has been a bonding expertise and so they have develop into nearer over the previous couple of years.
She defined: ‘My daughter and I’ve at all times had a detailed bond, however this expertise has introduced us even nearer. The enjoyment of sharing this outstanding journey collectively has amplified our pleasure and gratitude.
‘We continuously encourage and help one another, and I really feel extremely lucky to have her by my facet. As a mom, I could not be prouder and happier.
‘This journey has strengthened our connection in methods I by no means imagined attainable.’
After getting into a lottery for the Virgin Galactic flights, Keisha acquired a shock go to from Richard Branson
Keisha says her husband has been extraordinarily supportive since she gained the Virgin Galactic tickets and at first he thought the entire thing was a prank
Keisha is hopeful that it’ll additionally encourage her daughter – who’s finding out physics in Aberdeen – to pursue a profession in area
The mother-daughter duo can be touring into area alongside 80-year-old Jon Goodwin from Newcastle within the UK.
The Brit will make historical past because the first Olympian to journey to area, having competed within the 1972 Munich Video games as a canoeist.
He may also be the second individual with Parkinson’s to go to area after being recognized with the situation in 2014.
He has been vying for area for practically a decade and virtually gave up after receiving his prognosis, considering Virgin Galactic wouldn’t settle for him – however that was not the case.
Like Jon, Keisha and Anastatia’s household and buddies can be watching them on their massive day.
Keisha says her husband has been extraordinarily supportive since she gained the Virgin Galactic tickets and at first he thought the entire thing was a prank.
Nevertheless now he’s ‘tremendous excited and proud.’
Whereas the Antiguan hopes her journey will encourage others to peruse their desires it doesn’t matter what their age, she is hopeful that it’ll additionally encourage her daughter – who’s finding out physics in Aberdeen – to pursue a profession in area.
She concluded: ‘It is much more outstanding as a result of this chance aligns along with her aspiration to develop into an astrobiologist and perceive how life can exist past Earth, permitting each our desires to intertwine and manifest concurrently.
‘As part of the youthful era, she holds the potential to make vital contributions to the sphere.’
