Engineer bids to become first Irishwoman in space

Talented engineer Norah Patten is hoping to become the first Irishwoman in space — and is appealing for votes to help her reach for the stars.

Dr Patten, 29, from Ballina, Co Mayo, is chair of the Space Management and Business Department at the International Space University and has entered a competition to win a spot on a spaceplane rocketing off the planet.

“I developed a passion for space at an early stage. This opportunity would really be the realisation of a childhood dream,” she said.

“Space has always been the career I set my heart on and I have had so many amazing experiences and opportunities over the past number of years. It is just unbelievable to think I could be in with a shot of actually going there.”

The competition is being run by Lynx and it is giving 22 people a chance to see Earth from outer space.

To vote for Dr Patten log onto the Lynx website at lynxapollo.com or check out her Facebook campaign.