Neharika Gambhir, 26, is the first Fijian-American to become an Analog Astronaut. The Pilot and cyber engineer is originally from Suva and now based in Washington DC. Photo: Supplied/Neharika Gambhir
A Fijian-American woman has become the Pacific Island nation's first analog astronaut.
Pilot and cyber engineer, Neharika Gambhir, 26, is originally from Suva and now based in Washington DC, where she joined the all-female crew of the Analog Expedition 92, wearing the Fijian flag on her uniform.
An analog astronaut simulates space missions on earth to help prepare for future crewed journeys.
Her dream is to become a commercial astronaut, and she is also undergoing astronaut scientist's candidacy training at the International Institute of Administrative Sciences in Washington DC.
Gambhir has been on a four or five-year journey to become selected for the astronaut program. This year she officially became an American citizen.
She has been training for potential future space missions in environments that mimic the space experience where she has to test equipment and medical responses.
Neharika Gambhir, the first Fijian-American Analog Astronaut, says she has always loved flying and remembers her grandfather reading space books to her. Photo: Supplied/Neharika Gambhir
She said she was "very proud and happy to represent my country" when given a shout out by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Biman Prasad on their social media platforms.
Gambhir said she was at a loss of words.
"I'm still in shock that this got so much recognition," she said, "waking up to a flood of messages and support by the leaders of Fiji and family friends back home".
"It's good to have some representation for all the young girls and boys back home."
Gambhir said her grandfather read space books to her as a child. She also remembers catching her first flight from Nadi to Melbourne, which birthed a love for flying.
Now, she gets to fly planes, including World War II aircraft, for cross-country air shows.
In June, she flew a "Su", a Japanese Fuji LM-1 capable of an airspeed of 350 knots - more than 600 kilometres per hour. The aircraft was one of only four remaining in the world.
Neharika Gambhir used to be read books about space and now, she gets to fly planes, including World War II aircraft, for cross-country air shows. Photo: Supplied/Neharika Gambhir
Gambhir moved to the US with a dream of becoming an astranaut and worked three jobs to fund her education. She signed up for a cyber security "bootcamp" programme which helped pay for university and launched her career.
Her advice to anyone looking to follow in her footsteps was to chase their own dream and aim for the stars.
"When you get those random ideas or that burning urge to do something, sometimes life comes at you and you doubt yourself.
"I would tell them that it is never too much for you and absolutely go for your dream. Make sure you are grabbing every opportunity.
"Go for knowledge any place you can grab it."
