Dr. Shawna Pandya is the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, and will be flying to space with the Virgin Galactic Delta class of spacecraft with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) as early as 2026. She is also an emergency and aeromedical transport physician, aquanaut, skydiver, pilot-in-training, VP Immersive Medicine with Luxsonic Technologies, Director of IIAS’ Space Medicine Group, Executive Director of the IIAS Flight Opportunities Program, and Chief of Space Medicine at the Advanced Spacelife Research Institute.
(Photography Credit: Cooper and O’Hara Photography): IIAS scientist-astronaut candidate program graduate Dr. Shawna Pandya in her flight suit.
Dr. Pandya was on the first crew to test a commercial spacesuit in zero-gravity in 2015. She earned her aquanaut designation on the 2019 NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) mission, and completed a second aquanaut mission, NEP2NE, in May 2023, for a total of 11 days, 10 nights underwater. She served as Payload Crew and co-PI of the 2023 IIAS-01 suborbital research flight, as well as a PI and/or co-I for Ax-2, Polaris Dawn and Blue Origin payloads.
Her publications include a paper on medical guidelines for commercial suborbital spaceflight, and book chapters on space technologies that have benefitted terrestrial medicine, psychological resilience in long-duration spaceflight, reproduction and sexuality in long-duration spaceflight, and the future of space medicine. Her work is permanently exhibited at the Ontario Science Center alongside Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space. In 2022, Dr. Pandya was named to the Explorers’ Club’s “50 Explorers Changing the World.”
In 2024, she was recognized for her contributions by the Women’s Space Awards in the Medicine and Health category, and named a Karman Pioneer. Also in 2024, she was further inducted as a full member of the International Astronautical Federation’s Human Spaceflight Committee. Her work has been profiled by Nature Careers and the Royal Canadian Mint.
2019 Microgravity Campaign (Photography Credit: IIAS): Dr. Shawna Pandya tests the Final Frontier Design EVA (extra-vehicular activity) spacesuit in a gravity offset system in the Canadian Space Agency’s High Bay during the 2019 IIAS gravity offset course.
What sparked your initial interest in space and medicine? Were there specific moments or influences during your upbringing that guided you toward these fields?
I love sharing the story of how inspiration and representation shaped my path. Growing up in the 90s, I witnessed Dr. Roberta Bondar became Canada’s first female astronaut, and it was a defining moment for me. I realized, “Oh my gosh, Canadian women can do that!” I thought, if I wanted to be an astronaut through Canada, I just needed to follow her trajectory. That led me to study neuroscience for my undergraduate degree, then pursue medicine. For the longest time, those were my two titles—neuroscientist and physician. And now, as of June 2024, I proudly add commercial astronaut to that list.
As an astronaut with IIAS, you’ve participated in extensive training programs. Can you share some memorable experiences from these sessions and how they prepared you for future missions?
Absolutely! I’m honored to be part of what is, as far as I know, the first all-female research crew to fly to space. I’ll be flying with my teammates Kellie Girardi and Dr. Norah Patten, who will become Ireland’s first astronaut. We had our first team training this past summer, and though we each had prior microgravity experience, this was the first time we trained together in a coordinated way. Learning to move, train, and operate as a unit in zero gravity solidified our teamwork and trust. There’s no better crew I could hope to fly with.
How does it feel to be part of such a historic mission with two other powerful women?
It’s incredibly exciting. Beyond the professional aspect, we are friends. We talk about our challenges, the technical aspects of our mission, and the science, but we also support each other on a personal level. The only thing better than going to space is going with your friends.
As the Director of the IIAS, what are your primary objectives in advancing space medicine research?
Our institute updates its objectives annually, and we’re focused on research that supports astronaut health and translates to healthcare on Earth. We recently launched a global call for researchers to propose science for our spaceflight missions. One key focus is women’s health. To date, only 12 to 14% of space travelers have been women, making women’s health an understudied field in space medicine. We’re working on research related to menstrual management, contraception, and how women’s bodies adapt to microgravity. One of our recent studies successfully demonstrated IUD insertion in a zero-gravity environment, training non-medical personnel to perform the procedure.
Hyperbaric Medicine Training (Photography Credit: World Extreme Medicine): Dr. Shawna Pandya undergoes Kirby-Morgan helmet training while partaking in Hyperbaric and Dive Medic Training at Aquarius Reef Base.
Is it necessary for women to suppress their menstrual cycles in space?
It’s a personal choice. Some astronauts opt to suppress their cycles with oral contraceptives or IUDs, while others manage their periods in space. Historically, NASA provided Sally Ride with 100 tampons for a six-day mission—a clear example of how this topic has been overlooked. With missions to the Moon and Mars lasting three to five years, it’s crucial to develop sustainable options for women’s health in space.
How did your underwater missions at the Jules Underwater Lodge contribute to your understanding of extreme environments and their parallels to space exploration?
I’ve completed two Aquanaut missions, spending a total of 11 days underwater with the Neptune mission. We use these missions to study human physiology, team dynamics, and medical technologies in an extreme, isolated environment. We tested mixed reality point-of-care ultrasound and a virtual reality radiology reading room, linking with remote experts thousands of kilometers away—technologies that could be invaluable in spaceflight.
Martial Arts, Skydiving, and Piloting: The Mindset of an Astronaut
EVA Suit Test – CSA High Bay (Photography Credit: IIAS): Dr. Shawna Pandya tests the Final Frontier Design EVA (extra-vehicular activity) spacesuit in a gravity offset system in the Canadian Space Agency’s High Bay during the 2019 Project PoSSUM gravity offset course
You are a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a skydiver, and a pilot. How have these disciplines influenced your approach to challenges?
Each discipline requires situational awareness, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure. In piloting, we talk about “rate of scan”—constantly assessing the environment, instruments, and navigation. This applies to everything from zero-g flight to emergency medicine. Perseverance, self-control, and an indomitable spirit—core tenets of Taekwondo—are essential in astronautics.
You’re set to become Canada’s first female commercial astronaut with Virgin in 2026. What are the mission’s objectives, and how are you preparing?
This still feels surreal! Our mission will focus on microgravity research in women’s health, neuroscience, and health technology. We want to maximize the use of microgravity as a scientific laboratory and refine our crew operations for continued research flights.
As VP of Immersive Medicine at Luxonic Technologies, how do you see virtual reality transforming medical training and patient care?
Immersive technology can revolutionize healthcare in remote locations and space. Luxsonic developed the world’s first virtual reality radiology reading room, allowing medical teams to collaborate from thousands of kilometers away. During our Aquanaut mission, we tested mixed reality ultrasound, enabling remote experts to guide real-time procedures. These technologies can be vital for deep-space missions and remote healthcare on Earth.
Photography Credit: Mackenzie Calle: Dr. Shawna Pandya performs a simulated spacewalk in the IIAS Neutral Buoyancy Lab.
The Future of Human Spaceflight and Exploration
What are your future aspirations in space exploration, medicine, and technology?
This is the most exciting time to be in spaceflight. We’re seeing international space agencies working toward Moon and Mars missions while commercial spaceflight is democratizing access to space. My focus is on ensuring humans not only survive but thrive in space while bringing back valuable insights for healthcare on Earth.
Looking back, what would you say to your 12-year-old self?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d just say thank you for having the drive, discipline, and big dreams. Those aspirations wove together to create a career I love, in ways I could never have imagined.
Dr. Shawna Pandya is an inspiration, paving the way for future generations in space exploration, medicine, and technology. With her historic upcoming mission, she continues to push the boundaries of human capability. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
