Helen Sharman

The first British astronaut

Helen Sharman was working as a chemist when she heard an advert on her car radio, as she drove home from work. It was a new opportunity for a British person to train as an astronaut.

Responding to that advert changed her life, although she had no idea that over thirteen thousand other people had also applied for that job.

Helen did not think she stood the smallest chance of being chosen. But Helen was exactly the type of person the selectors were looking for - calm, practical, friendly, professional and a team player.  After 18 months of training, Helen Sharman became the first British Astronaut in May 1991 when she launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft and spent 8 days orbiting the Earth, living and working on the MIR Space Station.

Helen will share her story and some of her experiences with us. These may include details of the meticulous training and preparation, having to learn Russian in order to begin her training, how weightlessness feels, her scientific experiments, the team spirit, the importance of collaboration and communication, and opportunities and challenges for creating the future.

Her presentation includes slides, some of which she took herself during her time on MIR.

Helen was awarded the OBE in 1993. In the New Year Honours List of 2018, she was further awarded a rare honour, being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to Science and Technology Educational Outreach. Helen received the CMG personally, from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle.