Meet Keisha Schahaff, a mother who is about to make history by embarking on an extraordinary space journey with her daughter, Anastatia Mayers. They have secured two coveted spots on Virgin Galactic’s first official tourism flight, making them the first mother and daughter duo to venture into space. Not only will they go down in history as the first from the Caribbean to take this extraordinary trip, but they are also set to board VSS Unity at the New Mexico launch site on August 10 for a 90-minute journey into the unknown.
Keisha, now 46, has dreamt of going to space ever since she was a young child, mesmerized by the stars and looking up at the night sky. Her passion for space exploration only grew as she got older, but she felt uncertain about pursuing this dream due to the lack of opportunities in her country and the Caribbean. However, her fascination with space never waned, as she immersed herself in magazines, sci-fi movies, and space-related videos.
In a stroke of luck, Keisha entered a lottery for two seats with Virgin Galactic on a flight from Antigua to London in 2021. Much to her surprise, she emerged as the winner and even received a visit from Richard Branson himself. Originally planning to take a friend, Keisha’s plans changed when her friend had a baby, and her daughter stepped up to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
With their space adventure fast approaching, Keisha and Anastatia are currently participating in Virgin Galactic’s thorough ‘Readiness Journey Program,’ which covers everything from the logistics of spaceflights to physical and psychological preparation. While safety measures are of paramount importance to Virgin Galactic, it is essential to acknowledge the risks associated with an emerging and unregulated industry.
Space has witnessed its fair share of tragedies, including the 2014 crash of the SpaceShipTwo space tourism craft. However, significant strides have been made to prevent such incidents from occurring again, and the Virgin Space Ship Unity boasts numerous safety upgrades. Although it completed its first flight on June 29 without paying customers, it carried three crew members from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council of Italy, along with one astronaut instructor from Virgin Galactic.
Despite the tragedy that occurred during the OceanGate submersible expedition, which claimed the lives of five adventurers, including Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, Keisha remains undeterred and filled with elation about her impending journey to space. As a health and wellness coach, she views this dream-turned-reality as priceless. Keisha eagerly anticipates the weightlessness of zero gravity and the opportunity to gaze back at Earth, experiencing the profound “overview effect.” She is proud to represent her beloved country, Antigua and Barbuda, and hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams, all while paving the way for future astronauts.
This extraordinary journey has brought Keisha and Anastatia even closer as mother and daughter. Their shared excitement and gratitude have amplified their bond, elevating their relationship to new heights. Keisha’s supportive husband, initially skeptical of the whole endeavor, is now super excited and proud.
Accompanying Keisha and Anastatia on their voyage will be Jon Goodwin, an 80-year-old from the UK. He will make history as the first Olympian to travel to space, having competed as a canoeist in the 1972 Munich Games. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, Jon almost gave up on his dream of going to space but was pleasantly surprised by Virgin Galactic’s acceptance.
As the world watches, Keisha hopes her journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of age. She particularly desires to encourage her daughter, who is studying physics in Aberdeen, to pursue a career in space. This incredible opportunity aligns with Anastatia’s aspiration to become an astrobiologist and explore life beyond Earth. Together, they hold the potential to make significant contributions to the field and leave a lasting impact on the world of space exploration.
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