IRISH astronaut Dr Norah Patten has revealed how she avoids getting sick on the “vomit comet” as she trains for space – and the big mistake she won’t be repeating.
The Mayo woman will be the first Irish person to go out of this world next year.
She will board Virgin Galactic’s second-generation spacecraft, Delta, with Kellie Gerardi of the United States and Dr Shawna Pandya of Canada.
The “first-of-its kind” flight, which is less than two hours long, will reach space without travelling around the earth.
The sub-orbital flight is estimated to cost $600,000 (€560,000).
The aeronautical engineer, who works for Realtra Space Systems Engineering in Coolock, is currently training for the mission and has her food plan “down to a fine art” to avoid puking on board.
She stated: “The microgravity flights are often named the vomit comet because people get motion sick on them.
“Because you are flying up and down, you get 20 seconds of weightlessness and then you transition into a 2G pull, so everything becomes heavy.
“People often like to know what I eat in advance, so I have it down to a fine art now.
“I have a plain chicken wrap, two and a half hours before I fly and I am good to go.
“With not too much mayonnaise, I made that mistake once and it is not to be made again.”
Dr Patten also revealed what happens when astronauts need to pee.
She told us: “People like to understand all the behind-the-scenes things, even down to the adult nappy.
“It’s a maximum absorbency garment, The MAG, and you actually wear those on the space flight.
“Astronauts wear them on the way to the space station as if you did have to go to the toilet.”
‘LITTLE EYES’
And she also told how she loves being a hero for young kids – and even receives fan mail in the post.
She said: “I think having that opportunity to be on the Late Late Toy Show before Christmas was just a signal of how many little eyes were watching.
“Getting invited onto the show was really really special, as they only have a handful of guests that they invite on.
“They get invited on because they were nominated by the kids.
“Which I just think is so lovely, Zara and Killian would have written letters on why they wanted to meet me.
“I never would’ve expected to get something on that scale before my flight.
“To get that as an opportunity pre-flight was just really really special.
“I even get fan mail now, as An Post send me letters addressed to Norah Patten Astronaut.”
When asked what she would miss most among the stars, she said: “This journey is such a long time coming that I don’t think I will be focused on anything I will miss.
“I think I will be too focused on everything I can gain from this flight.”
‘HUGE UNDERTAKING’
Dr Patten, who has dreamed of being an astronaut since she was 11, has teamed up with Aer Lingus as she flies over and back to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida ahead of the mission.
She said: “My mission to become the first Irish person in space is a huge undertaking and I’m grateful to Aer Lingus for their support on my journey.
“As the flag carrier of Ireland, Aer Lingus has long inspired people to travel and to explore new destinations.
“This partnership with Aer Lingus will enable me to travel seamlessly to North America to continue my practical preparation and research, with each step bringing me closer to making this dream a reality.
“Together, I hope we can ignite the imaginations of young dreamers, encouraging them to undertake their own adventures – wherever they may be.”
‘VERY PROUD’
Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, Lynne Embleton, said they are “very proud” to support Norah.
She added: “At Aer Lingus, our mission is to connect people, places, and possibilities—and Dr Norah Patten’s extraordinary journey to become the first Irish person in space is the perfect embodiment of that spirit.
“Her determination proves that with ambition, dedication, and the ability to dream big, anything is possible.
“We are immensely proud to support Norah as she embarks on this historic journey over the next two years.
“This is a once-in-a-generation milestone for Ireland, and we have no doubt that her mission will inspire people across the nation and beyond to pursue their own aspirations.
“Norah is a true trailblazer, paving the way for Irish women in STEM and leaving a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.”
The UL graduate has dreamed of being an astronaut since she was 11 years old[/caption]
