First Caribbean women in space Antigua’s mother-daughter duo makes history

This month, Keisha Schahaff and her daughter Anastasia Mayers, hailing from Antigua and Barbuda, set a historic precedent as the first Caribbean women to venture into space.

They boarded the Galactic 02 spaceflight from Spaceport America in New Mexico on August 10 This flight, organized by Virgin Galactic, marks not only its premier private astronaut mission but also its second commercial venture to the cosmos

To celebrate this monumental occasion, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority hosted two public watch parties This gesture ensured that the entire nation could partake in the euphoria and cheer on their pioneering country women Charles Fernandez, the Tourism Minister of

Antigua and Barbuda, expressed the nation’s pride and admiration for the duo, noting their endeavor stands as a testament to the adventurous spirit of Antigua and Barbuda

He emphasized that their journey would inspire countless individuals who harbor dreams of space travel Moreover, it reflects the resilience and ambition of the Antiguans and Barbudans who consistently challenge and overcome limitations

The anticipated watch party featured prominent guests, including Sir Richard Branson, the brains behind Virgin Galactic

Accompanying him was Christopher Huie, a Jamaican-American who earned his title as the 19th Black astronaut earlier this year

Who is Keisha Schahaff?

Keisha Schahaff, 46, is a health and wellness coach from Antigua and Barbuda in

the Caribbean

According to Keisha's LinkedIn, the wellness coach worked as a flight attendant for LIAT from 1998 to 2005 In December 2019, she began working for Blue Sky Wellness Coaching

While Keisha was on a flight to London, she came across an advert to win a trip to space via Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic She went on to win two free tickets, one for herself and the other for her daughter

Though their tickets were free, $1 7million had been raised via the sweepstake for the charity, Space for Humanity

One ticket is approximately worth $450,000

She was elated to be going on this monumental journey with her daughter, Anastatia Anastatia's journey to space will make her the second youngest person to enter orbit behind 18-year-old Oliver Daemen in 2021

Anastatia is currently in her second year of university studying philosophy and physics at Aberdeen University in Scotland

Speaking on what this opportunity means to her, Anastatia said: "That would be very important to me, both in Scotland and Antigua and anywhere else I have any ties

"My intention is to just break any barriers that we set for ourselves or that the world sets for us ”

The mother-daughter duo embarked on this journey on August 10, 2023 along with former athlete and canoeist, Jon Goodwin

Launching from New Mexico, Keisha and Anastatia alongside four crew members were launched into space