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Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers

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Keisha Schahaff (born 1976 or 1977) is an Antiguan and Barbudan, who, along with her daughter, Anastatia Mayers (born 2004) are space tourists who are the first citizens from Antigua & Barbuda (and Caribbean)[1][2][3][4] and the first mother and daughter duo to fly to space. Their Galactic 02 launch occurred on 10 August 2023. Anastatia, at 18, is the second youngest person to have gone into space using the United States definition of the boundary of space.[1][3][4]

Space travel

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In 2021, the duo won tickets for the Galactic 02 launch, typically sold for $450,000, through a drawing held by Virgin Galactic.[1][2][3] The draw, which required a minimum donation of $10,[5] was held as part of a charity event raising funds for the non-profit organization Space For Humanity.[2] Schahaff received a pledge of support by tourism minister Charles Fernandez on behalf of the nation and the Ministry of Tourism and Investment.[6] The trip, launched 10 August 2023, was the company's seventh spaceflight, second commercial space flight,[3] and first private passenger launch.[7][8] The expedition was expected to last a minimum of 90 minutes.[1] Prior to the launch, all passengers underwent a "full medical examination by a doctor approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), [...] many medical records checks," and pre-flight training.[9] When asked about the risks involved in the mission, Mayers stated, “We all need to get out of our comfort zones and try new things, to believe in ourselves."[10]

Biographies

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Schahaff

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Schahaff was born in 1976 or 1977.[7][1] She is an entrepreneur and health and wellness coach, and has two daughters.[7]

Myers

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Myers attended Island Academy in Bendals village, the only international school in Antigua and Barbuda.[9] As of July 2023, she is a second-year student at the University of Aberdeen, where she is studying philosophy and physics.[1] When asked about her program of study, she stated, "Philosophy and physics make an interesting combination, but it expresses both my love for science and my curiosity about how the world works."[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Walcott, Escher (2023-07-18). "80-Year-Old Man with Parkinson's Among Passengers on First Virgin Galactic Space Tourism Flight". People. Archived from the original on 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. ^ a b c Strickland, Ashley (2023-07-17). "Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's first private passenger spaceflight". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  3. ^ a b c d Zaidi, Hiyah (2023-07-18). "Virgin Galactic announces first private astronaut mission and second commercial flight - who is on board?". National World. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  4. ^ a b Robinson-Avila, Kevin (2023-07-17). "Octogenarian, mother-daughter team, headed to space". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  5. ^ Thomas, Latrishka (2021-12-04). "'On top of the world': No hint of nervousness for A&B's first space traveller". Observer. Archived from the original on 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  6. ^ "Excitement building as Antiguan & Barbudan begins journey to space". Antigua News Room. 2021-12-08. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  7. ^ a b c Rose, Greg (2023-07-17). "Virgin Galactic's first private astronaut mission". Virgin Galactic. Archived from the original on 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  8. ^ "Antigua & Barbuda 'Over The Moon' as Mother-Daughter Duo head to space". Observer. 2023-08-03. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  9. ^ a b Emmanuel, Robert A. (2023-05-23). "Health and wellness coach Keisha Schahaff and daughter prepare as space trip draws closer". Observer. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  10. ^ Thomas, Latrishka (2023-07-19). "Antiguan mother and daughter to blast off into space next month". Observer. Archived from the original on 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  11. ^ "Astronaut Bio: Anastatia Mayers". Virgin Galactic. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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