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Helen Patricia Sharman (born 30 May 1963) is a British chemist and cosmonaut who became the first British person, first Western European woman and first privately funded woman in space, as well as the first woman to visit the Mir space station, in May 1991.
Helen Sharman, British chemist and astronaut who was the first British citizen to go into space, participating in a mission to the Soviet modular space station Mir in May 1991; she served as a research cosmonaut. Learn more about Sharman’s life and career.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
On 18 May 1991, a 27-year-old Brit from Sheffield sat on top of a Soviet Soyuz rocket in modern-day Kazakhstan, ready to launch into space. Her name was Helen Sharman. On that day she made history by becoming Britain’s first astronaut, pre-dating astronaut Tim Peake by 24 years.
Helen became the first person from the UK in space on 18th May 1991, when she launched into space for an eight day mission orbiting the Earth, most of which was living and working on a space station.
- Helen Sharman. Image caption, Helen Sharman visited the Mir space station in 1991. A former chemist for a chocolate company, Helen Sharman was Britain's first astronaut.
- Michael Foale. British-born Michael Foale went to school in Kent before studying at the University of Cambridge, where he was in a social club that included Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.
- Piers Sellers. Born in the UK, Piers Sellers (pictured centre) went to school in Kent before attending Edinburgh University and Leeds University.
- Nicholas Patrick. Born in North Yorkshire, he became a US citizen in 1994, but still considers London - as well as Rye, New York - his home cities.
Jan 19, 2024 · Helen Sharman orbited the Earth for eight days. By Dan Martin & Giles Taylor. BBC News, Leicester. Britain's first astronaut has been given an honorary degree by the University of Leicester....
Dec 15, 2015 · On May 18 1991 Sheffield woman Helen Sharman made history when she became Britain's first astronaut. The former Jordanthorpe Comprehensive pupil was selected for the space mission after...
