Anousheh Ansari – First Female Private Space Explorer & First Space Ambassador
Posted on 02. Aug, 2009 by flyingeraser in Space Tourism
On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. She also earned a place in history as the fourth private explorer to visit space and the first astronaut of Iranian descent. She blasted off for an eight-day expedition aboard the International Space Station as part of the Expedition 14 crew of the Soyuz TMA-9, which included NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin. This was the accomplishment of a lifelong dream for her.
A living example of the American dream, Anousheh immigrated to the United States as a teenager who did not speak English. She immersed herself in education, earning a bachelors degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, followed by a masters degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. She is currently working toward a masters degree in astronomy from Swinburne University.
Source: http://www.anoushehansari.com/about.php