Lina Borozdina, 55, has made history as the first Ukrainian woman to venture into space, realizing a lifelong dream that was years in the making.
But her journey to the stars wasn’t without challenges.
Borozdina’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and dedication, especially as she overcame the hardship of growing up in war-torn Ukraine and building a life in the United States.
The Journey to Space Begins
In January 2024, Borozdina was one of the lucky few to travel aboard billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceship, VSS Unity, as part of Galactic 06.
This was a milestone flight for Virgin Galactic, marking its sixth commercial space mission and the first without an astronaut instructor on board.
Despite having secured a seat on the spacecraft nearly two decades earlier, the cost of the flight was just one of many hurdles she faced before finally embarking on this incredible journey.
A Humble Beginning in Ukraine
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Borozdina’s dream of space was ignited at a young age.
Growing up in a male-dominated society where women were often seen as second-class citizens, Borozdina’s father, a former KGB agent, nurtured her adventurous spirit.
Despite the challenges of their modest living conditions—sharing a small apartment with eight other families—her father’s support allowed her to pursue education and even develop a passion for English and art.
The tragedy of losing her mother to kidney failure when she was just 13 added another layer of hardship, but Borozdina’s father remained a pillar of strength.
Encouraged to follow her dreams, she eventually earned a master’s degree and pursued a career as a DNA scientist, though her eyes remained set on space.
A New Life in the United States
In her early twenties, Borozdina fled Ukraine for political asylum in the United States.
While navigating the complex process of obtaining a work permit, she faced another hurdle when her asylum application was denied.
Undeterred, she married a fellow Ukrainian refugee to secure her stay and eventually found work as a DNA scientist.
However, despite the changes in her personal life, her childhood dream of going to space remained unwavering.
To make her dream a reality, Borozdina mortgaged her condo, investing $200,000 for a ticket aboard Virgin Galactic, knowing full well that the journey would take years to come to fruition.
But when the day finally arrived, she was ready for the adventure.
The Flight of a Lifetime
Borozdina was one of four passengers on Galactic 06, and the only woman on board.
Alongside her were Franz Haider, an Austrian businessman; Robie Vaughn, a seasoned adventurer; and Neil Kornswiet, a California lawyer and hedge fund manager.
After years of preparation and training, Borozdina’s moment had arrived.
Despite being scared of domestic flying, Borozdina described herself as “surprisingly calm” during the flight.
As the spaceship separated from the mother ship, she was thrust into the intense G-forces, but her extensive training helped her manage the pressure.
Once the G-forces subsided, the ship entered a weightless state, and Borozdina and her fellow travelers floated in awe of the view outside.
A Moment of Awe
As the spacecraft reached the edge of space, Borozdina looked out the window and was struck by the breathtaking sight.
The Earth below was bathed in a soft, luminous glow, and the darkness of space surrounded her.
“No video or photo you have ever seen could prepare you for what I saw,” she said, tears filling her eyes.
In that moment, she thought of her father and the childhood stories that had fueled her dream of space travel.
Returning to Earth
After several minutes of weightlessness, it was time for the crew to prepare for re-entry.
Borozdina and her fellow passengers had to strap in tightly and endure another round of G-forces as they descended back to Earth.
The descent was smooth, and as they approached the Space Port, Borozdina couldn’t help but feel calm and at peace.
When the spaceship finally landed, it was met with cheers from friends and family, and Borozdina could reflect on her accomplishment in the quiet of a reflection room.
A Call to Her Father
While Borozdina’s father couldn’t make the trip to New Mexico due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, she was able to share the experience with him through a video call.
“I made it to space from your stories exactly the way I promised,” she told him, fulfilling a dream she’d had since childhood.
In the end, Borozdina’s journey to space was more than just a scientific achievement—it was the culmination of a lifelong promise to herself and her father.
Through every obstacle, she kept her eyes on the stars, and now, her dream has become a reality.