Dr Norah Patten: Ireland’s first astronaut
Dr Norah Patten is set to become the first person from Ireland to go to space, as part of an international spaceflight mission.
Dr Patten will undertake a research mission with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), and the crew will introduce novel biomedical research to benefit humanity in space and on Earth, refine research operations for future IIAS-sponsored science missions and advance the research previously conducted during IIAS-01, a similar mission which took place last year.
All-women team of researchers
An all-women team of researchers will undertake this space mission, IIAS-02, anticipated to take place within the first year of Virgin Galactic’s Delta commercial service, which remains on track to commence in 2026. Dr Patten, who is originally from Co. Mayo, will join Kellie Gerardi of the United States and Dr Shawna Pandya of Canada, as crew members on the Delta spacecraft.
Dr Patten is an aeronautical engineer and bioastronautics researcher with IIAS. Her extensive research experience includes multiple microgravity research campaigns, commercial spacesuit testing and evaluation, and emergency egress operations.
“It is such an incredible honour to represent Ireland, IIAS and our research community on this next spaceflight opportunity with Virgin Galactic,” says Dr Patten. “I’m so excited to be able to build on the successes of IIAS-01, our inaugural suborbital spaceflight, and further our contribution to and understanding of microgravity research.”
A budding Irish space sector
When Dr Patten undertakes the mission, she will be the first Irish astronaut to go to space and Dr Patten believes there is more to come in the Irish space sector.
“Ireland’s involvement in the space sector is going from strength to strength and the number of companies involved in the space sector has been growing year on year,” she says.
“These opportunities are both in the upstream, sending objects into space like launchers, hardware, satellites, software, and support infrastructure. And downstream, data and satellite services that stem from the upstream market.”
Ireland-Canada collaborations
Beyond Dr Patten’s work, there are many opportunities for Ireland and Canada to collaborate in the space sector. “Ireland is a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canada is a cooperating state. There are opportunities for Ireland and Canada to work together through ESA,” says Dr Patten.
“In addition, with the relationship now established between the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) and the National Research Council (NRC) Canada through our microgravity research campaigns, there are opportunities to expand collaborations to include more Irish researchers. Irish researchers could potentially test their experiments on the microgravity research flights at NRC through IIAS.”
Strong STEM advocate
Dr Patten is an author and strong STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] advocate, in addition to her astronautical work. She works with young people in Ireland to improve and support STEM education.
“Over the years I have been very passionate about STEM education, outreach and public engagement. In 2014, I sent the first student experiment from Ireland to the International Space Station, enabled through a partnership with Nanoracks and IComp,” she explains.
She has worked with the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, ESB Science Blast, Microsoft DreamSpace, Mayo Dark Skies, iWish as well as leading projects around space science. “In 2019, at IIAS we came together to form the PoSSUM13 initiative specifically to engage young girls in the area of space science. I led this initiative in Ireland,” she says.
The Norah Patten Foundation
In advance of Dr Patten’s first journey to space, she has recently established The Norah Patten Foundation, a non-profit foundation, to support her spaceflight.
“We are three non-paid directors leading the Foundation and all funding raised will support the spaceflight, the research, the educational outreach and to help create and build a lasting legacy. Given this spaceflight will be a national first for Ireland, we really have an opportunity to maximise all aspects. We have big plans to reach as many people as possible with this historic flight,” she says.