All Astronauts
LEGENDRetired—
LEGENDRetired—Other·🇬🇧 United Kingdom·Born 1963
Helen Sharman
First British astronaut (1991)
190h
Hours in Space
1
Missions
0
EVAs
—
EVA Time
It wasn't so much going to space as the training that appealed.
There's this suggestion nothing can match going to space — and I'm not saying it isn't fantastic — but there are equally enjoyable things on Earth.
What they aspire to
She hopes human spaceflight will be seen as both useful for science and the economy and inspirational for future generations.
Biography
First British astronaut and first Western European woman in space. Chemist selected from 13,000 applicants for the Anglo-Soviet Project Juno mission to Mir.
Before NASAResearch chemist at GEC and at Mars Confectionery, where she worked on the flavour properties of chocolate before responding to a radio advertisement seeking Britain's first astronaut.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Helen Sharman
- First British astronaut (1991)
- First Western European woman in space
Mission Timeline
- Research Cosmonaut
Soyuz TM-12
Project Juno / Soyuz TM-12
Launch: May 18, 1991Landing: May 26, 1991Duration: 8 days- First Briton to reach space; visited Mir space station
Beyond the Mission
Hobbies & Interests
hikinglanguagesamateur radio
Causes They Champion
Science and technology outreachSTEM education for girls
Languages
EnglishRussian
Awards & Honors
- Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
- Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Authored
- Seize the Moment: The Autobiography of Britain's First Astronaut(1993)
Fun fact
She heard the call for Britain's first astronaut on her car radio and jotted the phone number down at a red light, then beat nearly 13,000 other applicants to win the seat.
Learn More
More Astronauts
Other space travelers from Other and United Kingdom
