Sussex’s newest astronaut could become only the second British woman to head for the stars after completing her training.
Dr Rosemary Coogan said experiencing weightlessness for the first time was “extremely exciting” - but that she had to fight the temptation to "swim" in zero gravity.
The University of Sussex graduate recently completed her training, including performing CPR in zero gravity, and could now be set to go into space as just the third British astronaut.
Speaking about the test flight, Dr Coogan, 33, said: “It is actually quite difficult and there is a temptation to try and swim, which is not at all appropriate, as we found out quite quickly.
“It was striking to be reminded that techniques needed in an emergency can differ hugely on the space station to what we’re used to on Earth.”
The zero-gravity flight training is sometimes dubbed the “vomit comet” due to how it can make astronauts feel ill, but Dr Coogan said she and her fellow trainees were able to complete it without being sick.
Other parts of her preparation included extreme weather training in the snowy mountains of the Spanish Pyrenees.
As part of the next steps, she and her colleagues will take part in pre-assignment and mission specific training, which could result in long-duration missions to the ISS.
She completed her doctorate in astronomy at the University of Sussex having studied astrophysics at Durham.
She is the UK’s third astronaut after Helen Sharman, who first went to space in 1989, and Chichester’s Tim Peake.
Dr Coogan said: “As an astronaut, a very special part of the job is the possibility to share this journey and experience to hopefully inspire younger generations to be interested in space.
“What I would really say to anybody who does feel inspired is to keep pursuing what you are interested in and to absolutely go for it.”
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