Latest news with #NorahPatten
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
Dr Patten on preparing to become the first Irish person in space
Hailing from Co Mayo, Dr Norah Patten is set to become one of the country's greatest ambassadors on the world stage (and beyond). An award-winning author, trained aeronautical engineer, education advocate, and former Late Late Toy Show surprise star, Dr Patten will soon add one more incredibly impressive string to her bow: In 2026, she will become the first Irish person in space. Patten will take on the monumental journey as part of an all-female team of researchers alongside Dr Shawna Pandya from Canada and Kellie Gerardi from America. In the lead up to the groundbreaking spaceflight, the trio will be busy with deep preparation, including spacesuit testing and evaluation, microgravity research, and high-G flights to experience gravitational force. Speaking with RTÉ Lifestyle, Norah says that her dream of going to space started at the ripe age of 11 when she first visited the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. "I'm the youngest of five in my family, but I was the only one to have taken the interest in space after going to visit NASA," she muses. "I can still remember walking around the hangar and seeing the aircraft, going to see the wind tunnel, and I think something just sparked." This exposure to the space sector at such a young age, followed by a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 15, cemented Dr Patten's fate. As soon as she knew a trip to space was possible, nothing else would do. Decades of hard work and many degrees later, the Mayo woman says she still can't believe that her dreams are set to become reality. "The flight was announced in June of last year, which was 12 months ago now, and not one day has gone by where I haven't thought about it and been so thankful to have that opportunity, finally, after all the years." Despite this, she says she struggles to take on the enormity of the situation. Instead, she focuses on the massive amount of work she needs to do in the meantime, whether that be research, education, or outreach. In fact, the Norah Patten Foundation put a huge emphasis on continuing the legacy of space exploration, engaging with teachers who can help inspire younger generations. "It's so special, I don't for a second take it for granted," she says of becoming a role model to children. "I was a grand marshal in Ballina for the parade in March, and there was a space-themed parade and little kids dressed as astronauts - and adults too! It's hard to articulate, but it's something I don't take for granted. "The Toy Show was so special," she continues. "It's a nomination. The kids write in about who they would like to see or meet. To get that pre-flight cemented, to me, just how many little eyes are watching, and how important it is for me to make the most of this opportunity." As she moves closer to making history, Aer Lingus has pledged its support through a two-year partnership, ensuring she can travel between her home in Ireland and North America - the hub of her groundbreaking research preparation. "The micro-gravity research flight that we do in Ottawa at the National Research Council is the fundamental test bed and preparation that we need to set us up for success for the actual space flight," she says, noting that the partnership will be essential over the next year. "It's hard to explain just how different that environment is," she says, explaining the training manoeuvre. "You get about 20 seconds of weightlessness on the free-fall portion. If there's dust on the floor, it lifts off. Your bum lifts out of the seat. Experiments will float. It's a really, really unique environment." As well as adjusting to micro-gravity, Dr Patten says the trips to North America are an opportunity for her to spend time with her crewmates, something that will undoubtedly help to strengthen the team dynamics ahead of their journey. "We're individuals, at the end of the day, so we have our different ways of approaching things," she explains, "but Kelly and Shawna are two of the most incredible people I've ever had an opportunity to work with. They have 100 per cent brought out the best in me and my work over the past year."
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Science
- Irish Daily Mirror
Norah Patten is about to boldly go where no one from Ireland has gone before
Trailblazer Norah Patten is about to boldly go where no one from Ireland has gone before - and become the first Irish person in space. The aeronautical engineer from Ballina, Co Mayo, will be part of a three-woman crew on Virgin Galactic's spacecraft, due to launch next year. She told the Irish Mirror: "Sometimes impossible dreams come true, if you put in the work." Patriotic Patten is bringing something special from home with her on the landmark journey - an Irish memento to mark the ground-breaking moment in our history. "Our Irish heritage, arts, music, culture is something I am very focused on including in the flight," she said. "I won't announce what I'll be bringing until closer to the flight. But as a national first, the Irish piece represents an enormous opportunity. I don't know exactly how much room or how much stuff I'll be able to bring, but we're definitely looking at music, art, the cultural side." The astronaut was talking after partnering with Aer Lingus for the next two years as she flies between home in Ireland and America ahead of the mission. Dr Patten said her interest in going to space was sparked after a school visit to a NASA space research centre in Cleveland, Ohio, at age 11. "I went to St Oliver Plunkett's National School in Ballina and then to St Mary's secondary, an all-girls school, and I had Miss Ryan and then Miss Leonard in science, who were brilliant. "I often say this was an impossible dream. I had the chance to visit NASA when I was in primary school and that was just a spark of interest that started as I grew up in Mayo in the '80s and '90s. "Just having that opportunity to visit NASA, to see the wind tunnels, to get a little bit of an insight into space exploration, human space flight. I thought it was fascinating. "That journey from age 11, all the way through and while it was an impossible dream, I think for me, I just loved space. It's been a very long journey to get to the point of announcing my space flight. "It hasn't happened overnight, it's been most of my life progressing to get to this point." Two practical lessons she has learned are: don't forget your space nappy, and go easy on the mayo. Her time in what she calls the "Vomit Comet" - a specialised aircraft used to simulate zero-gravity conditions - means she has figured out what to eat, and what not to, to avoid severe motion sickness. "I have it down to a fine art now, I'd eat a plain chicken wrap maybe two and a half hours before I fly and I'm perfect, I haven't gotten sick. "If you don't eat, you're more likely to get sick. But not too much mayonnaise - I made that mistake once and it will not be made again. "There's all these calculations - even down to the adult nappy, a maximum absorbency garment called a MAG. "You actually wear those on space flights. There are no toilets on the spacecraft." One of Patten's passions is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and encouraging young girls into the industry. "It's so special when you see that impact, little girls saying you are a role model. "Sometimes I get recognised out, with little kids coming up, and they're like: 'Oh, there's Norah. 'Norah's going to space, and she's from Ireland, she's from Mayo...'. "It's to show them that sometimes big, impossible dream's do come true if you put in the groundwork. "I get fan mail, it's really special to get letters from little kids. An Post are brilliant, I've had letters delivered to 'Norah Patten, Astronaut, Ballina', and they do make their way to my parents' home, which is just so lovely." Aer Lingus announced its partnership with Dr Patten this week, pledging its support through a two-year partnership, ensuring she can travel between her home in Ireland and North America - the hub of her research preparation. In advance of her spaceflight, Norah is undergoing intensive training and conducting advanced research at the National Research Council in Canada, working alongside International Institute for Astronautical Sciences researchers, Dr Shawna Pandya and Kellie Gerardi, who will join her on her space flight. Her preparation has included spacesuit testing and evaluation, microgravity research, as well as undertaking high-G flights designed to experience gravitational force. Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus CEO, said: "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," Embleton said.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Dr Norah Patten on the less glamorous side of space training
When you picture astronaut training, chances are you're imagining extremely serious, Hans Zimmer soundtracked scenes from the likes of Interstellar, Gravity or Ad Astra. Chances are you're probably not picturing a Ballina woman perfecting her zero gravity approach; however, Dr. Norah Patten: engineer and Ireland's very own spacebound trailblazer, is the REAL face of space exploration in 2025. As she edges closer to becoming the first Irish person in space, Norah's training regimen is, as you'd expect; rigorous, technical, and full of acronyms. But it also comes with a healthy dose of chaos and very human moments. She sat down with this week to lift the visor on what really goes on behind the scenes of astronaut prep. When you picture astronaut training, chances are you're imagining extremely serious, Hans Zimmer soundtracked scenes from the likes of Interstellar, Gravity or Ad Astra. Pic: Facebook 'I think with social media, it's been great having that as a platform to share some of the some of the preparation we do, and some of the programs that we've we've worked on,' she began. 'I think people like to hear about the kind of quirky things…for example, the microgravity flights are often named 'the vomit comet' because people get motion sick on them. 'Because you're flying in this trajectory on the aircraft where it's like you're flying up and down, and you're getting this 20 seconds of weightlessness, and you then transition into like a 2g pull, so everything becomes heavy, and often in those transitions, people can get motion sick and and so people often like to hear, did you get sick? You know, and what do you eat in advance?' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aer Lingus (@aerlingus) Norah sees her pre-flight meal as an essential part of the launch day routine, admitting she has it down to a 'fine art' by now. 'I know a chicken wrap, a plain chicken wrap, maybe two and a half hours before I fly and I'm perfect. I haven't gotten sick. If you don't eat, you're more likely to get sick. So there's all these combinations.' Another lesser-known but entirely practical part of space preparation is the use of adult nappies—yes, even astronauts have to think about bathroom breaks when suited up, with Norah spilling the beans on the less glamorous side of space exploration. Chances are you're probably not picturing a Ballina woman perfecting her zero gravity approach, however, Dr. Norah Patten: engineer and Ireland's very own spacebound trailblazer is the REAL face of space exploration in 2025. Pic: Instagram/ Dr Norah Patten 'It's a maximum absorbency garment, it's a mag, and you actually wear those on the space flight. Astronauts wear them on the way to the space station. It's just, if you did have to go to the toilet, there's no toilets on the spacecraft. So what do you do? You wear a mag on your space flight. I think it's those interesting little facts that people like to get a sense of that the human side.' Norah's journey has also quietly transformed her into a role model for a new generation of space enthusiasts, especially in Ireland. Her presence in the space world shows young people—particularly girls and those from underrepresented communities—that space isn't just for a select few. It's a career path that can start with stargazing in Mayo and lead all the way to orbit. As she edges closer to becoming the first Irish person in space, Norah's training regimen is, as you'd expect; rigorous, technical, and full of acronyms. But it also comes with a healthy dose of chaos and very human moments. She sat down with this week to lift the visor on what really goes on behind the scenes of astronaut prep. Pic: Facebook 'It's sometimes hard to put into words, because it's something I don't for one second take for granted,' she remarked of her newfound fame. 'Sometimes I get recognized out, you know, with little kids coming up, and they're like, 'oh, there's Nora!' And it's really, really special to see. 'I just want to be able to use the flight as a means of engaging with as many, not just kids, adults too, in Ireland, just to share what we're doing, inspire them and If there was some big dream or ambition they had, to find possible routes to make it happen.' Norah has been selected for a mission on board Virgin Galactic's second generation of spacecraft that will hopefully launch in 2026 Aer Lingus has since partnered with Dr Patten ahead of her historic space mission, with the Irish airline proudly flying Norah as she crosses the Atlantic while undertaking this vital space research.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Irish astronaut Dr Norah Patten opens up about training on ‘vomit comet' & major food mistake she won't ‘make again'
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 4 Dr. Norah Patten is set to go to space in 2026 Credit: Naoise Culhane 4 Aer Lingus has collaborated with Norah to help her on her journey Credit: Naoise Culhane She will board Virgin Galactic's second-generation spacecraft, Delta, with Kellie Gerardi of the United States and Dr Shawna Pandya of The "first-of-its kind' flight, which is less than two hours long, will reach 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. READ MORE ON TRAVEL 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. Most read in News Travel "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. Katy Perry & Lauren Sanchez unveil new sleek women's Blue Origin spacesuits after vowing to 'put the a** in astronaut' 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 "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 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." 4 The UL graduate has dreamed of being an astronaut since she was 11 years old Credit: GETTY 4 Norah is set to leave with her crew in 2026 Credit:
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Irish Times
Blast off: Aer Lingus to support Ireland's first astronaut
Ireland's soon-to-be first person in space has partnered with Aer Lingus ahead of her expected space flight in 2026. Dr Norah Patten, who works for Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Coolock, north Dublin, is expected to travel on-board Virgin Galactic's commercial spacecraft Delta as early as 2026. Aer Lingus has signed a two-year deal with the astronaut-to-be to support her travelling between her home in Ireland and the research hub for the spaceflight in North America. Dr Patten is training and conducting advanced research at the National Research Council in Canada ahead of the launch. READ MORE The pre-flight preparation includes spacesuit testing and evaluation, microgravity research, as well as undertaking high-G flights designed to experience gravitational force. '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,' Dr Patten said. Dr Patten's astronautical ambitions were inspired by visiting the Nasa Glenn Research Center in Cleveland at the age of 11, and said she hopes the partnership will 'can ignite the imaginations of young dreamers, encouraging them to undertake their own adventures – wherever they may be'. Aer Lingus chief executive Lynne Embleton described the planned space flight as a 'once-in-a-generation milestone for Ireland' and said the mission would succeed in 'paving the way for Irish women in Stem and leaving a legacy that will resonate for generations to come'. Dr Patten will form part of a three-woman crew set to travel into space to carry out research for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), Virgin Galactic said last year. Originally from Mayo, Dr Patten is working alongside fellow IIAS researchers, Dr. Shawna Pandya and Kellie Gerardi. On board the Delta spacecraft, Dr Patten's research will focus on building on information gathered on a previous research space flight collaboration between Virgin Galactic and IIAS last year, testing novel healthcare technologies and looking at how fluids behave in low gravity. The IIAS crew will also test 'novel biomedical research'. 'The mission is anticipated to take place within the first year of Delta commercial service, which remains on track to commence in 2026,' a spokesperson for Virgin Galactic said when announcing the spaceflight last year.
