ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (August 3, 2023) – The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, is over the moon, and excitedly gearing up for one of their greatest adventures in history as Keisha Schahaff and her daughter Anastasia Mayers embark on a space travel journey, that will see them become Antigua and Barbuda’s first astronauts, and the first Caribbean mother-daughter duo to go to space.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Schahaff who is forty-six years old, and her eighteen-year-old daughter will on August 10, 2023, board the Galactic 02 spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico, marking Virgin Galactic’s first private astronaut spaceflight, and second commercial spaceflight.
To mark the historic occasion, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced today that two public watch parties will take place on August 10 in both Antigua and Barbuda, allowing for the entire nation to be a part of the celebrations.
Galactic 02 will mark a historic and inspirational moment for the Caribbean and beyond, with watch parties and observances happening to celebrate the curiosity and achievements of the astronauts.
“Antigua and Barbuda’s spirit of adventure is unparallel. We commend the duo who will for years to come serve as an inspiration for those within our society who dream of travelling to space, and as a reminder of fearless Antiguans and Barbudans who have broken barriers. We are excited to witness this moment in history and extend an open invitation to all to join us at the watch parties for this historic moment”, said Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment.
CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James added, “We applaud our ladies as they embark on their remarkable journey to space. The excitement is such that the whole of Antigua and Barbuda feels as if we will be going to space with the ladies. We cannot wait for August 10, and will be out with our flags to cheer the ladies on”.
Special invited guests of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, The Hon. Gaston Browne, at the watch party will be Sir Richard Branson founder of Virgin Galactic, and Christopher Huie, a Jamaican-American, who earlier this year became the 19th Black astronaut, family of the Antigua and Barbuda astronauts as well as Government officials and dignitaries.
The watch party in Antigua will take place at the Antigua Recreation Ground and in Barbuda, at the Holy Trinity Primary School. Venues will open at 9:00 a.m. with launch time shortly after 10:00 a.m.
In addition to being part of the countdown and witnessing the exciting launch of the Galactic 02 spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico live on screens in Antigua and Barbuda, persons attending the public event will enjoy entertainment and activities in celebration of the occasion.
Cont:
“Suddenly, who’s walking into my yard? Richard Branson. The whole team just swarmed into my house saying ‘you’re the winner, you’re going to space’.”
I did not read that on DNO, it is all over America, in News Papers, and by extension over the world. How very easy it is to envy other people, all this woman did was enter a competition and won!
And here you piping this hateful, envious comment!
There are younger black American girls when on similar adventures into space!
What is this garbage: “give them something over others Islanders and for the white man. Ashamed to be an Islander?”
No white person told that woman to enter the competition, she did it on her own.
Politics is not involve in this, if you are Dominican dressing up in red will not earn you a ticket to space, and I don’t think Bronson is interested in corrupted Roosevelt money.
Shut up you arn an ignorant disgrace! When dunce people don’t know what the talking about they should get…
So sad that they are willing to participate in this deception. Well, I guess, Islanders will do anything to give them something over others Islanders and for the white man. Ashamed to be an Islander.
What the hell are you talking about; why don’t you shut up since you do not know what is going on!
Here is how it happened!
An 18-year-old Aberdeen University student and her mother will travel to space later this week after winning a place on Virgin Galactic’s second commercial flight in a prize draw.
Anastatia Mayers and her mum Keisha Schahaff will be the first mother and daughter to go to space.
They will also be the first people from the Caribbean to make the journey.
The pair will take off from New Mexico on Thursday.
Keisha was travelling to the UK to sort out her daughter’s visa when she entered the competition.
She was on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London when suddenly an advert popped up.
“I filled out this sweepstake and then suddenly months later I’m getting correspondences saying that you’re a top 20 finalist, then a top five finalist, to becoming a winner,” she says.
“Suddenly, who’s walking into my yard? Richard…
how does that make them astronaughts?
An Astranaut is someone who travels in space. DUUUH.
an astronaut is a job . my flying on a plane does not make me a pilot
That is a very stupid question, this should not even a topic of debate, because anybody with commonsense should know that: “Astronauts are some of the most skilled and best trained people on Earth; and off Earth. Becoming an astronaut takes years of training.
Nevertheless, I am sure these people must be briefed of what to anticipate while in Space during the duration; so all of this Dominica hoopla is simply a matter of jealously, it is a free trip, that will only be chucked up as experience!
As for this name here I know “Knowles-Cumberbatch” I know that is an Antiguan name; Knowles, and Cumberbatch are surnames originating in Antigua, that person is so filled of envy and hate they can burst, all because a mother and daughter won a free trip.
You people should be praying for a safe takeoff, and save return, rather than spewing this hate and envy!
I would sooner stay home rather than head for the moon and end up in the Atlantic Ocean on my way back. Everything is not as glamorous as you may think, Mr. smart boy.
Here is the link to the competition which she won
https://www.omaze.com/products/virgin-galactic-2021
It’s awesome that they get to go to space for a few minutes and experience weightlessness, they won a completion from Omaze