February 17th 2024.
Lina Borozdina had a fulfilling experience as she embarked on a journey that she had dreamt of since she was a child. Her dad, Yuri Borozdin, used to tell her bedtime stories about space, which sparked her interest and ignited her imagination. Lina, who is a Ukrainian private astronaut, recently went on the year's first Virgin Galactic spaceflight, where her childhood dream of venturing into space finally came true.
As one of the commercial astronauts representing different backgrounds, Lina's flight held a special significance for her. Growing up in the port city of Odessa, Ukraine, she was inspired by her father's stories and moved to the US when she was still living in the Soviet territory. Lina's flight suit proudly displayed the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, along with a US patch. It was a symbol of her dual identity and the journey that she had taken to reach this point.
However, amidst Lina's dream come true, she couldn't forget the ongoing turmoil in her home country. As Russia continued its attack on Ukraine, Lina saw it as an opportunity to bring attention to the struggles and remind the world to not forget Ukraine. She said, "After two years, I'm still shocked. Ukraine became independent and should have stayed independent. They are fighting for their freedom and their right to exist." Lina's flight was a way for her to represent her country and give a little positivity amidst the chaos.
Lina was part of a group of four private astronauts, which was a first in space exploration. The rocket-powered spaceplane, VSS Unity, reached incredible speeds and an apogee of 55.1 miles from Earth. Lina, who is now 55 years old, carried personal items from her close friends and a pink breast cancer ribbon to represent her battle and victory over cancer 15 years ago. She remembers being calm and prepared during the flight, thanks to the three days of training she had gone through.
One of the most unforgettable moments for Lina was when she was able to look back at Earth from space. She recalls, "I was so mesmerized by the view and sharpness against the black void. The Earth glowed, it was like when kids have one of those globes by the bedside and it has a soft, dispersed inner glow." As an artist, Lina was in awe of the colors and shades she saw. She explained, "I went to art school and knowing all the colors and shades, I cannot even explain what my eyes saw."
Lina's love for space and her dream of becoming an astronaut began with her father's stories. She still has a picture of herself playing with a space toy as a child in Odessa. Lina shares, "My dad used to tell me stories as he tucked me into bed. He would tell me how me and my cousin Inga would sneak onto spaceships and go on adventures together. His stories were always different and always funny." These stories were their bonding time, and it was where her love for space began.
In 1991, when Lina moved to the US, she was determined to make her dream a reality. In 2005, she remortgaged her house to buy a ticket for a future Virgin Galactic flight. As part of the "founders group," Lina was one of the prospective astronauts in the early days of the project. She sees her representation of Ukraine as part of a pioneering mission that reflects a cross-section of people. Although she is now an American citizen, Lina holds her home country close to her heart.
As Virgin Galactic continues to make strides in space exploration, Lina's flight was a testament to the company's success. It was watched by over 150 guests at Spaceport America, and the company plans to begin testing on "next-generation" ships next year. Lina's journey to space was a dream come true, and she hopes to inspire others to reach for the stars and never give up on their dreams.
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