Sansa Celebrates Women’s Month with Astronaut

High school learners from local schools in the Overstrand had the opportunity to meet an international astronaut last week. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Hermanus invited girl learners from Qhayiya High School, Bosko Christian Academy, Waldorf High School, and Hermanus High School to spend the afternoon with Dr Sian Proctor, the first female commercial spaceship pilot on the all-civilian Inspiration4 orbital spaceflight in 2021.

The group of girls was given an inspiring lecture by the famous astronaut about her journey into space and how space is becoming more accessible for people from around the world. After delivering the talk on her space journey and how she became the first African American female commercial astronaut to pilot a spaceship, the learners had the opportunity to ask her questions and got the chance to win many prizes, including her artistic pen, as she is also an artist and poet.

Dr Proctor and Thandile Vuntu, SANSA Science Engagement Manager in Hermanus, then helped the learners to build and launch their own paper rockets to everyone’s delight.

“STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) has previously been seen as something only men can do, especially in the space sector. It takes that one girl to be inspired and, in return, she will inspire millions across the world. Role models such as Dr Sian Proctor have inspired millions of girls to believe in themselves. STEM is inclusive and has no gender limits,” said Vuntu.

Dr Proctor also gave a public lecture to a packed SANSA Space Weather Auditorium, and many locals had the chance to take photos with her. The recording of this lecture is available on the South African National Space Agency YouTube Channel.

Catch the next SANSA Space Talk on Wednesday, 14 August, at 12:00, at the SANSA Space Weather Auditorium or live on the SANSA YouTube Channel. 

Caption 1: Dr Proctor interacting with High School learners in the Space Weather Auditorium in Hermanus.

Caption 2: Dr Proctor delivering a facilitating talk with Thandile Vuntu, SANSA Science Engagement Manager in the background.