Dr Norah Patten, who is originally from Co Mayo but now lives in the Dublin and works for Realtra Space Systems Engineering in Coolock, will be part of a research mission on Virgin Galactic's new commercial spacecraft, which is due to begin operating in 2026.
She has a PhD in aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick, is a former global faculty member at the International Space University and has taken part the International Space University Space Studies Program.
...she said will take particular pride in explaining to her now two-year-old daughter in the future about the significance of this journey.