Meet Ireland’s first female astronaut as a 31-year-old NI woman set to become a high flyer

A high-flying 31-year-old woman is on track to become the first female astronaut from all of Ireland.

Rosemary Coogan has been selected by the European Space Agency to attend their next training course.

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The Northern Ireland-born astronomer, who speaks French and German, is one of six professional astronauts to become permanent staff.

A former reserve officer in the Royal Navy, she has a master’s degree in astronomy, during which she studied black holes, and also a doctorate.

After securing her appointment, she said, “I just feel really empowered about all the things that space can do for us.”

She said this includes learning more about “how we came into being, the conditions of life, how that affects the human body and what might happen to us when we are no longer in those conditions.”

When asked about the grueling training schedule that lies ahead, she told the BBC: “Today is the start.”

More than 22,500 people from all over Europe have applied for the programme.

Extensive screening reduced that number to 1,361 people who were invited to the second phase of ESA astronaut selection.

From there the number was reduced to 400.

During ESA’s last astronaut call in 2008, Tim Peake was among the chosen few and became the first British astronaut to join the ESA Corps.

Also selected to participate was John McFall, who may become the first disabled person to fly into space.

He is a British Paralympic sprinter from Surrey who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19.

Mr McFall became a professional track and field athlete in 2005 and represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Paralympics.

Meanwhile, Meganne Christian, who was born in the UK and studied in Australia, has successfully completed the astronaut selection process and will join ESA’s Astronaut Reserve.

“REAL DAY”

dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “This is a momentous day for the UK Space Agency, our space sector and the country as a whole.

“Through our investment in the European Space Agency, the UK is at the forefront of space exploration, working with international partners to harness space’s unique vantage point for the benefit of life on Earth.”

He added: “Space is an incredible inspiration and I’m sure Rosemary, John and Meganne will become heroes to many young people and inspire them to reach for the stars.

“It’s also important to remember that behind every astronaut there is a dedicated team of people, including in the UK, working behind the scenes to achieve the incredible.”

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