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Namira Salim, a Space Diplomat, Future Astronaut, Pioneering Polar Explorer and Artist, is a prominent Pakistani based in the Principality of Monaco since 1997. She is well renowned as the First South Asian and First person from Monaco to go to space aboard Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic –the first private space-line of the world. In March 2006, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman Virgin Group, personally introduced Namira to the world press as one of the earliest Founders and Future Astronauts of Virgin Galactic. As an example of early consumer confidence, Namira’s membership landed Virgin its biggest investor from Abu Dhabi, worth US$380 million. In August 2006, the Government of Pakistan, officially launched Namira to the nation as the “First Pakistani Astronaut” making her an instant source of inspiration for women and youth. In October 2007, she successfully qualified to go to space after completing her spaceflight training at the worlds largest centrifuge in the United States. Namira became the first Pakistani and first woman from Monaco and Dubai (where her parents moved in 1981), at the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008, as well as the first Asian to skydive (tandem) over Mount Everest (third pole) in October 2008. At all three poles, she hoisted the Pakistani and a universal peace flag. In November 2015, Namira launched her non-profit organization, Space Trust to promote Space as the New Frontier for Peace. Since then she has engaged ten governments and five former and sitting Heads of State to advocate Space as a sustainable tool for peacemaking on Earth on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. The tough girl podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Show notes Growing up in Pakistan Her dream of going into space Being inspired by NASA Keeping her motivation of going to space Not being the person to pursue science education Falling in love with the stars Moving to the South of France and wanting to live in solitude Writing poetry and spending time being creative Calling Virgin Galactic Paying $200,000 for a seat as a founder Astronaut Being part of the global press launch Being launched as the first Pakistan Astronaut The importance of dreams Doing astronaut training in 2007 Taking sub orbital flights Why it’s not as challenging on the body Taking on the poles and sky diving over Mt. Everest The challenges of sky diving over Mt. Everest - October 2008 Waiting for the prefect weather window The power of believing in herself The highest drop zone in the world Free falling during sky diving at 153mph Managing risk Believing in fate, destiny and God. Being a Space Diplomat Space as a new frontier for peace Visiting the North Pole and dealing with the cold Spending 3 weeks in the South Pole Peace Expeditions and inspiring women and youth around the world Space Trust Space Diplomacy O G Summit 2030 Current project Funding projects and expeditions Why Space can help with climate change Final words of advice Social Media Websites Personal - www.namirasalim.com Space Trust - www.spacetrust.com Twitter @namirasalim Instagram @namirasalimofficial Facebook @namirasalimofficial