Helen Sharman

Helen Sharman signed First Britain in Space cover with the special postmark commemorating her mission dated on the day of the launch, 18th May 1991.

Helen Sharman was chosen as the first British person in space ahead of 13,000 other applicants through Project Juno, a privately funded British campaign to raise money to pay the Soviet Union for a seat on one of their Soyuz missions. After an 18 month extensive flight training programme in Star City, Moscow she flew on the Soyuz TM-12 mission to the Mir Space Station. Whilst aboard she completed medical & agricultural experiments, photographed the British Isles and participated in a radio session with British schools.