What Helen Sharman did?

Helen Sharman is a British astronaut who became the first British person to go into space on September 18th, 1991, aboard the Soviet spacecraft _Soyuz TM-12_. She was part of the Project Juno mission, a joint venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Soviet space agency Intercosmos. Sharman, who was a chemist before becoming an astronaut, conducted several scientific experiments during her eight days in space, focusing on materials processing and human physiology in microgravity. Here are some notable aspects of her career and contributions:

Background:

- Born in Sheffield, England, on May 30, 1963, Helen Sharman studied at the University of Sheffield, where she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1984.

Career in Chemistry:

- Prior to her selection as an astronaut, Helen Sharman worked as a research chemist at the University of Sheffield and GEC Marconi.

Selection for Project Juno:

- In 1989, she responded to an advertisement in "The Times" newspaper for a British astronaut to participate in the joint Soviet-British mission to the _Mir_ space station.

Project Juno Mission:

- In 1990, Sharman was chosen from 13,000 applicants and started her training for the Project Juno mission at the Star City training facility near Moscow.

Launch into Space:

- On September 18th, 1991, Helen Sharman launched aboard the _Soyuz TM-12_ spacecraft alongside two Soviet cosmonauts, Anatoly Artsbarsky and Sergey Krikalev.

Space experiments:

- During her eight-day mission, Sharman conducted 20 experiments designed by British scientists, studying protein crystal growth, crystal processing, and the response of human cells in space.

Return to Earth:

- After completing her experiments on the Mir space station, Helen Sharman returned to Earth on September 26, 1991.

Ambassador and Advocate for Space Exploration:

- Following her mission, Sharman became an ambassador and advocate for space exploration and science education in the United Kingdom and globally.

Author:

- She wrote a book titled _"Seize the Moment"_ in 1993, sharing her experiences as the first British astronaut and promoting the importance of science and technology.

Recognition:

- Sharman received numerous honors and awards, including an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Chemistry and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Sheffield.

Personal life:

- After retiring from space exploration, Sharman worked as a TV presenter and consultant, and eventually became a businesswoman founding the Helen Sharman Associates Ltd to conduct corporate team-building programs.

Legacy:

- Helen Sharman's historic mission as the first British astronaut not only marked a significant milestone in British space exploration but also helped inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, especially women and girls. She continues to be a champion for space exploration, science education, and breaking barriers in STEM fields.