Helen Sharman became the first British astronaut in space in 1991. Selected out of 13,000 applicants for Project Juno, Helen became the first British astronaut in space aboard the Soyuz TM-11. Also making history as the first European woman in space and the first woman aboard the Mir Space Station, Helen is now booked as a speaker for corporate events to share the stories of her incredibly pioneering astronaut career. Having spent an intensive 18 months in training, Helen launched into space on the 18th of May 1991. Her mission lasted eight days, a time during which she was responsible for photography of the British Isles and completing medical and agricultural tests aboard the Mir Space Station. Upon her return to earth, Helen was widely commended for her mission and received a star on the Sheffield Walk of Fame and the Order of the Friendship of Peoples. She was also invited to light the flame at the 1991 Summer Universiade and the bronze, silver and gold medals of the Royal Aero Club.
Helen has not returned to space, instead she has focused her attention on spreading the wonders of science in the world around her. She has since authored the books Seize The Moment and The Space Place, sharing her experiences of space. She has also committed her time as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Association of Space Explorers and a Patron of the Spacelink Learning Foundation. She has also taken on the responsibility of becoming Operations Manager for the Imperial College London Department of Chemistry and the President of the Institute of Science and Technology.
Widely commended, Helen has also been appointed as OBE and as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. She has also been the recipient of the Medal for Merit in Space Exploration and has a selection of buildings named after her- such as the science block of Bullers Wood School named Sharman House. Helen has also been the recipient of several Honorary Degrees, such as Doctor of Science and Doctor of Technology, from the Universities of Kent, Plymouth, Southampton, Staffordshire, Sheffield and more.
With such an influential career to her name, Helen is now regularly invited as a motivational speaker to a number of corporate, educational and public speaking events. In her proficiency as a speaker, Helen is booked to share anecdotes from her time in space- describing everything from training to take off and the feeling of weightlessness. She is also able to share transferable skills with businesses that she learnt as an astronaut, focussing on topics such as leadership, teamwork and goal setting. An experienced speaker, Helen has formerly spoken for clients such as Clinigen, The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and Flagship Housing Group. When looking for an inspirational speaker, who has seen the extraordinary, look no further than former astronaut Helen Sharman.
In November 2023 we sat down virtually with Helen Sharman and discussed how she dealt with loneliness and isolation in space. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Helen Sharman.
