The Daily Star Ireland
Dr. Norah Patten, a native of County Mayo, is on the verge of making Irish history by becoming the first person from Ireland to travel into space. Scheduled for 2026, her journey will mark a significant milestone not only in her own career but also in the narrative of Irish contributions to space exploration. She will join two fellow researchers — Dr. Shawna Pandya of Canada and American scientist Kellie Gerardi — on a mission that will be executed by an all-female crew, underlining the growing presence of women in the aerospace sector.
Before the mission launches, the trio will undergo intensive training designed to simulate conditions in space. This includes high-gravity flights, spacesuit evaluations, and experiments in microgravity — the reduced-gravity environment that mimics conditions in orbit. These preparatory phases are critical to ensuring both operational safety and mission success.
A Lifelong Pursuit Takes Flight
Dr. Patten’s interest in space began early. A formative visit to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland at the age of 11 ignited a passion that would shape the course of her academic and professional life. A follow-up trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida four years later further reinforced her ambition. From that point forward, she pursued a path steeped in science and engineering, earning multiple degrees and distinctions in aeronautical engineering.
Over the years, Patten has become a prominent advocate for space science and STEM education. She has authored award-winning books, participated in academic outreach, and led the Norah Patten Foundation — an organization dedicated to fostering interest in science and space among young students and educators. Through these efforts, she has worked to build a legacy that goes beyond personal achievement, focusing instead on shaping future generations of innovators.
Though the announcement of her flight came in June 2023, Patten remains focused on the work ahead rather than the headline it represents. She describes the experience as surreal but remains grounded in the knowledge that rigorous preparation and ongoing public engagement are central to fulfilling the role she has taken on.
Role Model and Educator
Dr. Patten’s journey has positioned her as a national role model. Her appearances in public life, including being honored as Grand Marshal during the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in her hometown of Ballina and her participation in Ireland’s Late Late Toy Show, have amplified her visibility and impact. These events have highlighted her influence among young people, many of whom are already beginning to see space exploration as an achievable dream.
She acknowledges the responsibility that comes with this visibility. As someone watched closely by children and educators alike, Patten views her mission not just as a scientific expedition, but as a chance to demonstrate the real-world applications of STEM education and the importance of perseverance in pursuit of ambitious goals.
Her foundation plays a key role in this educational outreach, focusing on teacher-led initiatives that make space science more accessible and engaging. Patten believes this systemic support is essential for cultivating long-term interest and capacity in science, particularly among younger age groups.
Preparing for the Unique Environment of Space
In advance of the 2026 flight, Patten has been participating in regular training sessions in North America, with key activities centered at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa. These include parabolic flight exercises, where aircraft simulate weightlessness by performing steep climbs and drops. During these sessions, the team experiences short bursts of zero gravity — conditions that replicate those they will encounter in space.
These training flights, often referred to as microgravity simulations, are vital for equipment testing and crew familiarization. Dr. Patten explains that even mundane phenomena — such as dust rising from the floor or one’s body lifting slightly from a seat — become meaningful indicators of how unfamiliar and delicate the orbital environment can be. These sessions also offer an opportunity to test experimental protocols in a gravity-free setting.
Beyond the physical demands, Patten emphasizes the importance of team cohesion. The time spent in Canada and the United States not only enhances technical readiness but also strengthens interpersonal bonds between the crew members. She describes her colleagues, Pandya and Gerardi, as highly skilled professionals whose collaboration has enhanced her own performance and helped cultivate a shared mission culture.
Support and Next Steps
Patten’s transatlantic schedule is being supported through a two-year partnership with Aer Lingus, which provides travel support as she shuttles between Ireland and training sites in North America. This logistical backing is crucial as the project moves into more intensive testing and mission planning phases.
With roughly a year and a half remaining before the historic launch, Dr. Patten continues to balance the scientific demands of the mission with her educational and outreach commitments. Her focus remains on maintaining readiness, building support structures for long-term STEM advocacy, and ensuring the success of a flight that represents not only personal achievement, but national significance.
As 2026 approaches, Ireland prepares to see one of its own reach beyond Earth’s atmosphere — a culmination of decades of vision, effort, and unrelenting determination. Dr. Norah Patten’s story is already reshaping how space exploration is viewed within the country, and her journey promises to inspire future scientists, engineers, and explorers for generations to come.
