Anousheh Ansari: First female space tourist

Iranian-born Anousheh Ansari would now become the world’s first female space tourist. She would be joining a Russian crew on a mission to the international space station planned for September this year.

She would join the crew of the Soyuz TMA-9, which is to be launched from Kazakhstan.

Ansari was quoted as saying in the media: “This is a dream that I’ve longed for since childhood. I’m fascinated by the mystery and beauty of the cosmos. I deeply believe that the long-term survival of the human race will largely depend on our achievements in space exploration.”

She replaces a Japanese businessman who was originally scheduled to join the crew on this trip. He failed to pass the medical test mandatory for this trip to space.

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