Keisha Schahaff
Born1977 (age 46–47)
Antigua and Barbuda
Occupation(s)Health and wellness coach
Children2, including Anastatia Mayers
Websitehttps://www.keishaschahaff.com

Keisha Schahaff (born 1976 or 1977) is an Antiguan and Barbudan, who, along with her daughter Anastatia Mayers, became the first citizen from Antigua and Barbuda and the first mother and daughter duo to go into space. The Galactic 02 launch occurred 10 August 2023.

Space travel

In 2021, Mayers and her mother 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,[4] was held as part of a charity event raising funds for the non-profit organization Space For Humanity.[2]

Later that year, Schahaff received a tropical bouquet and a gift bag from tourism minister Charles Fernandez. To help her on this "phenomenal" trip, he pledged the entire support of the nation and the Ministry of Tourism and Investment.[5]

The trip, which launched on 10 August 2023, was the company's seventh spaceflight, second commercial space flight,[3] and first private passenger launch.[6][7] 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.[8] Schahaff has stated that she does not have any concerns about the expedition.[4]

Mayers and her mother are the first people from a Caribbean country to ever travel to space, as well as the first mother-daughter duo.[1][2][3][9]

Quotes

When I was two years old, just looking up to the skies, I thought, ‘How can I get there?’ But, being from the Caribbean, I didn’t see how something like this would be possible. The fact that I am here, the first to travel to space from Antigua, shows that space really is becoming more accessible. I know I will be changed by my experience, and I hope I will be able to share that energy and inspire the people around me—in my role as a life coach, a mother, and as an ambassador for our beautiful planet.

— Keisha Schahaff, [10]

Personal life

Schahaff was born in 1976 or 1977.[6][7] She is an entrepreneur and health and wellness coach, and has two daughters.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 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.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. 1 2 3 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.
  7. 1 2 "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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Announces Galactic 02 Mission Passengers". Aero-News Network. 2023-07-18. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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