Pride of the nation & inspiration for women, Namira Salim achieves great endeavor becoming First Pakistani Astronaut. Namira Salim, who has parachuted over Mount Everest and visited both poles before, was one of the first passengers to purchase a ticket. With her ride on Virgin Galactic’s fifth successful mission in five months, adventurer Namira Salim became the first Pakistani astronaut.
Namira, a Pakistani-born adventurer, artist, businesswoman, and supporter of space travel, is based in Monaco and Dubai. Her space mission creates several firsts. She is the first Pakistani astronaut and female Virgin Galactic Founder Astronaut to reach space. Her previous victories of becoming the first woman from Monaco and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the first Pakistani, to reach the North and South Poles in 2007 and 2008, are built upon by this accomplishment. In 2008, she took part in the inaugural Everest Skydive, which involved tandem skydiving from a height of 29,500 feet above Mount Everest.
The non-profit organization Space Trust was founded by Namira in 2015 with the goal of bringing together world leaders, the UN, and the international space industry to promote space exploration as a long-term instrument for promoting peace on Earth. Her spaceflight honors her late father and acts as an example for young women and girls around the world. Her non-profit is leading a STEM-based initiative called 0G, and the Pakistani flag and its symbol are shown on her spacesuit.
Originating from a family of Pakistanis living in Southern France “The first Pakistani astronaut” to fly in space was Namira Salim. The Pakistani government formally acknowledged her as the “First Pakistani Astronaut” in 2006. Namira was nominated by the Ministry of Tourism to serve as Pakistan’s Honorary Ambassador of Tourism in 2007. In April 2007 she became the first person from Pakistan to reach the North Pole, and in January 2008 she reached the South Pole. During the historic First Everest Skydives 2008, she also made history as the first Asian and Pakistani skydiver over Mount Everest. She received Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2011 and is also a peace activist.
The highest civil decoration in Pakistan, the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence), was bestowed upon Namira by the President of Pakistan on March 23, 2011. Additionally noteworthy was Namira Salim’s inclusion on the “Women Power 100” list of the Pakistan Power 100.
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