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Namira Salim believes space diplomacy could create peace on Earth

In 2006, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched her as the “First Pakistani Astronaut.”
Updated 23 Aug, 2019


“I am a global citizen,” Namira Salim tells me, “and I literally live in the stars.”

She says this quite simply, as if it’s a matter of fact. Namira is a space diplomat, trained as an astronaut, a proponent of space tourism and hopes to be soaring into space soon. When she does so, she will be the first Pakistani to go to space.

“I keep reading captions where I am touted to be ‘the first Pakistani woman who will go to space’. But I will actually be the first Pakistani,” she smiles.

Read: Meet Namira Salim, the "first Pakistani astronaut"

Already, she is the ‘first’ Pakistani to have reached the North Pole, the South Pole and the first Asian to have sky-dived off Mount Everest.

Pictured: Namira Salim, at the North Pole in 2007
Pictured: Namira Salim, at the North Pole in 2007

Now, she has her sights on space. “I always wanted to go see the stars,” she smiles. “As a child, I remember how my father showed me the Pole Star and different constellations. Ever since then, I have wanted to go.”

"Space tourism is a reality"

Her dream may just get realised soon. British business magnate Richard Branson’s first commercial space liner, Virgin Galactic, is primed to be shooting to the stars, and Namira has been short-listed as part of the team that will be taking the flight.

Salim thinks Virgin Galactic will mark the advent of the commercial spaceflight, making private spaceflight affordable
Salim thinks Virgin Galactic will mark the advent of the commercial spaceflight, making private spaceflight affordable

And as she talks about orbs, satellites, space stations and the concept of peace on earth through space, Namira gives me a glimpse into her unique world.

It’s easy to get lost in our cocoons, where politics, crime and social media battles take over our minds. It’s easy to forget that there’s a whole world out there, open to exploration, brimming with possibilities. Our children aren’t often aware of the many avenues that they could pursue. Someone like Namira Salim can help widen perspectives.


“Imagine the possibilities. A singer could have a concert in space. Medical experiments could be carried out there. A private investor could go to asteroids and mine there and make great new discoveries. Space tourism is a reality.”


Currently based in Monaco, Namira doesn’t visit Pakistan often although her green passport has traveled the world over. When I meet her, she is visiting Karachi to attend an event.

50 years ago, when the first men stepped on to the moon, the company’s Speedmaster became the first watch to be worn on the moon. To commemorate this, Omega has recreated the Speedmaster or ‘Moonwatch’ and Namira was invited a guest of honour as part of the celebrations taking part in Pakistan.

At the Omega event.
At the Omega event.

They couldn’t have chosen a better representative. Namira talks at length about how the world is entering a new Space Age. Space, the final frontier, is apparently about to open up to all mankind. “It will be just like taking a flight,” says Namira.

“Imagine the possibilities. A singer could have a concert in space. Medical experiments could be carried out there. A private investor could go to asteroids and mine there and make great new discoveries. Space tourism is a reality.”

According to Namira, the Artemis program, a spaceflight programme carried out by NASA, is forming a coalition of nations that will form a base on the moon by 2024 and also return the next man and the first woman on the moon. She also talks about a concept close to her heart, the possibility of creating peace on earth, through space.

Space diplomacy, what it is, what it means

“When astronauts go up to space, they experience a paradigm shift,” says Namira. “They see the world going further and further away; the political boundaries disappear, then all they see is continents and then, they just see the globe. When they come back, they have a whole new perspective and all they want to do is work for peace on earth.”

Namira Salim at Farnborough International Air Show with Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo
Namira Salim at Farnborough International Air Show with Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo

She continues, “The non-profit NGO that I run, Space Trust, has been instrumental as a proponent of the first space summit, where world leaders can meet at an international space center. The first International Space Station is in the low Earth orbit and astronauts from different nations operate there. But now that space is commercial, this can also be a location where leaders meet and look at the world from above. They can begin thinking for humanity as a whole, transcending political borders.


“When astronauts go up to space, they experience a paradigm shift. They see the world going further and further away; the political boundaries disappear. When they come back, they have a whole new perspective and all they want to do is work for peace on earth.”


“This is an extension of space diplomacy, the way it is defined at present. Right now, space diplomacy enjoins that the objects that nations send out into space are not harmful to another nation or to the environment as a whole. But this concept can also be extended to work towards world peace in the future.”

Namira’s commitment to the promotion of space diplomacy and space tourism has allowed her to interact with major players in the global space industry. She has held conferences around the world, including one with former congressman and now the administrator of NASA, Jim Bridenstine.

Breaking glass ceilings

Was it difficult for her Pakistani family to come to terms with the unconventional paths that she chose for herself?

“Initially, they supported me when they thought that these were just temporary interests but later, my mother would worry a lot,” says Namira. “She was, of course, upset that I didn’t follow conventions and get married and have children. But I was born with this DNA and these dreams and I have been living them, reaching the poles, sky-diving and now, wanting to go to space. This is all that have wanted to do.”

"Space is what makes my DNA," Namira told me
"Space is what makes my DNA," Namira told me

“I remember when I went to the North Pole, my mother didn’t mind but then, when I was planning to reach the South Pole, my whole family was planning a vacation. I was too scared to tell them that I would be going, so I wrote a note and left it for my mother to read.”

“She worried the most when I was planning to sky-dive from Everest. This was in 2008, when the first sky-dives were made from the peak and before my jump, 17 Swiss jumpers perished in a plane crash. This was the same airline that I had flown in from Kathmandu to the Himalayas. My mother called me and asked me if I was crazy but I told her that I had made up my mind."


Has her nationality ever been an impediment in getting international heavyweights to take her seriously? And has her gender ever been an obstacle? “Not at all. I know what I am talking about, I am dedicated to it and through my NGO, I have managed to create awareness about peace in space. I think people respect that.”


"Then, two of my fellow jumpers had very bad accidents. One of the girls broke all her bones. My mother would read all this in the newspapers and fret. The weather was very unreliable back then. We would start preparing and then we would see these dark clouds looming forward and wouldn’t be able to see anything.”

“Finally, I did make my jump and it was in great weather.”

For her many achievements, the Pakistani government awarded Namira the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2011. She is also on the brink of launching a singing career on the US — a talent that she discovered she has – and her first song is aptly titled ‘Follow Me to the Moon’.

The peace activist was also conferred a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2011
The peace activist was also conferred a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2011

Has her nationality ever been an impediment in getting international heavyweights to take her seriously? And has her gender ever been an obstacle? “Not at all. I know what I am talking about, I am dedicated to it and through my NGO, I have managed to create awareness about peace in space. I think people respect that.”

She knows so much about space – and yet, she hasn’t been there yet. Is going one day become an obsession for her? “I do want to go one day but literally, I live in the stars. They surround me completely!”

And the sky is the limit for her – as it is for every individual, every Pakistani, man or woman. It’s easy to forget this – but it’s a thought worth remembering.

Comments

damaal Aug 22, 2019 08:47am
Astronaut? Never heard of her. Another cooked up story
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Zubair Aug 22, 2019 08:54am
Wow,Wonderful Woman from Pakistan .
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Sampth Aug 22, 2019 09:05am
Amazing!!!!!
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Haramullah Aug 22, 2019 09:23am
I am a writer, but yet to write a book.
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CAT Aug 22, 2019 09:33am
wonderful dreams, wonderful thoughts !!!!!
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SYed zAfar kazmi U.s.a Aug 22, 2019 09:44am
With all due respect, she is not an astronaut yet. At best, with her aspirations considered, she is a would be astronaut.
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SATT Aug 22, 2019 10:08am
What an expensive way to experience that the world transcends boundaries.People should just meet with each other,you will see people are all same and this is one world.
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SHAHID SATTAR Aug 22, 2019 10:56am
We live in a real world and have to face the ground realities which are non-existence in outer space which has no grounds to walk upon. Peace is just a pipedream that has always been propagated by the weaker elements existing anywhere in the world, nothing more.
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Sonia Aug 22, 2019 11:41am
Thank You for introducing such an extraordinary Pakistani to the world.
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Babu Aug 22, 2019 12:29pm
Beauty with Brain.
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Bhola yadi Aug 22, 2019 12:30pm
She should have stayed at the pole.
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sixes Aug 22, 2019 12:41pm
Praise you for your great passion and hard work. Keep it up! You rock. If you look up at the sky, there are no boundaries.
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STARGAZER Aug 22, 2019 12:57pm
Serious question - can someone who's never been to space, called an astronaut?
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masood hussain Aug 22, 2019 01:24pm
Way to go Namira.......... It is high time that we make peace with the Aliens.
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AAN Aug 22, 2019 03:20pm
For all unaccomplished haters, "In October 2007, Namira trained and qualified for her suborbital spaceflight at the NASTAR Center in the United States, under the supervision of Virgin Galactic." Along with countless accomplishments to which you can only wish for. What have you done in life?
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Haris Aug 22, 2019 04:32pm
@AAN If you buy the ticket, which last time I checked was about half a million USD, you get to get trained, that is part of the package. And it is great to do that. I might have done the same if I had the money. The point is that it is still tourism, not a scientific discovery or research or an achievement that should become an inspiration for common people, and hence just an advertise, not an informative article.
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Aoe Aug 22, 2019 05:28pm
Good going! Wishing Namira the best from us scientists across the border.
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Rao Aug 22, 2019 06:04pm
Never heard of her. Is she an astronaut who has been in a space program of Pakistan or its allies Ora candidate? Anyway, congratulations.
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putho madre Aug 22, 2019 06:28pm
I am an astronaut also, I have been to north pole.
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Mr Ahmed Aug 22, 2019 06:31pm
@damaal if u haven't heard of her then what are we suppose to do? Take her title away? And give u one..do u know of All astronauts who have gone to space in the past two years or so? No right? So why are u doubting he r? Only because she is a Pakistani?
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Farhan Siddiqi Aug 22, 2019 06:38pm
Good going Madam. I agree and hope that you will be the first "Pakistani" to explore space!
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Bikram Singh Aug 22, 2019 07:04pm
Looking more like a model.
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Shyam Kokku Aug 22, 2019 07:13pm
When in 2019 Pakistan is yet to have an astronaut, how could the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting call her as one in 2006?So much of fudging of facts is permitted? At best she can be called a Singer - that too an upcoming!
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Ali Ahmad Aug 22, 2019 07:47pm
Her search all around of the earth is highly appreciable and commendable. Wish her success in the space as well.
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H L Aug 22, 2019 09:24pm
You go Girl. Get your dreams filled and with that open new horizons for our daughters. Nay Sayers are always going to be there.
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Magister Aug 22, 2019 09:55pm
What is her source of income?
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Fazy Aug 22, 2019 11:29pm
Really? Sure, if you have diplomatic people in both ends...
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Ram Aug 22, 2019 11:51pm
A Muslim woman making progress Very heartening Love from Bharat
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Shami Aug 23, 2019 01:02am
@damaal where are you living dude!
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manit Aug 23, 2019 01:25am
is she is first pakistani astronaut??/
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Tamilselvan Aug 23, 2019 01:38am
Regardless whether she is considered an astronaut or not she has dreams of becoming one and has achieved a lot for her country and we from India wish her the best .
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Sami Khan Aug 23, 2019 03:00am
Is she a model or an astronaut?
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Ravi Sanku Aug 23, 2019 03:04am
Great woman, very inspiring and admirable.
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Shaukat Aug 23, 2019 05:49am
@damaal , how can you hear about her accomplishments in your cacoon, you have to come out from there.
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KM Aug 23, 2019 07:22am
Intelligent Lady hoping to become an astronaut
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AAN Aug 23, 2019 11:26am
@Haris I was referring to why she has the title of an astronaut, the same way you can become a pilot by having a flying course. How about reaching North Pole, South Pole, sky diving over Mount Everest, being short listed for first every commercial space travel and being founder of NGO that works on peace? If that is not an inspiration to you then please don't be so humble, we need to celebrate you on national level with medals and all as you must be a very talented individual.
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zulfiqar Aug 23, 2019 12:26pm
Very inspiring and hardworking person. Have known this family for many years. To achieve all this despite all the hurdles she’s faced. Truly remarkable achievement
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Aleena Aug 23, 2019 03:16pm
@STARGAZER An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. So yes, she can be called an astronaut because she has been trained as an astronaut.
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Aleena Aug 23, 2019 03:17pm
@SYed zAfar kazmi U.s.a An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. So yes, she can be called an astronaut because she has been trained as an astronaut.
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Aleena Aug 23, 2019 03:17pm
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. So yes, she can be called an astronaut because she has been trained as an astronaut.
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Whisper Aug 23, 2019 08:19pm
space diplomacy- peace in space? if peace efforts have failed here, how would they work from space. People don't change when they go to space. We could do better things for poor, hapless people on earth with these resources than to use for space diplomacy.
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Boota Aug 23, 2019 08:30pm
May you succeed , ignore -ve comments, hope to see you space walking one day.
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Shami Aug 24, 2019 01:37am
@KM so much jealousy. Unbelievable! Live and let live others how they want..
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Habib A Zuberi, PhD, Emeritus Professor Aug 24, 2019 07:56am
Namira Salim is an accomplished and highly respected Pakistani lady. Let there be few more to join her. Her accomplishments simply establishes the fact that if ladies are given an opportunity they do just as well as anyone else.
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Habib A Zuberi, PhD, Emeritus Professor Aug 24, 2019 08:03am
@Sami Khan She is pretty and she is busy with other serious activities. Is there domething wrong with this?
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