Brighton Astro – Mercury 13: The Pioneering Women Who Defied the Space Race and Fought for Their Place Among the Stars

During the height of the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a little-known yet revolutionary program dared to defy the norms of the 1960s. Spearheaded by visionary aerospace physician Dr. William Randolph Lovelace ll, this groundbreaking initiative sought to answer one bold question: Could women endure the physical and psychological demands of spaceflight? The answer came from thirteen extraordinary women – accomplished pilots who challenged societal expectations and excelled under gruelling tests, often surpassing their male counterparts. Though the program was ultimately discontinued, their resilience in the face of entrenched prejudices became a powerful and enduring symbol of progress and possibility. This Women’s History Month, we honour these trailblazing women, whose courage and determination not only shaped the history of human spaceflight, but also inspired generations of explorers to reach for the stars.

Tahani Baldwin, GMBPsS, is a PhD candidate in neuroscience at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, with a research focus on digital interventions and behavioural change. She graduated with honours in Psychology from Aston University in 2022 and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Tahani’s passion for space exploration emerged during her postgraduate studies. As Chairperson of the University of Birmingham Astronomical Society, she led initiatives to promote engagement with astronomy and space research. For her master’s thesis, she explored the role of personality traits in stress adaptation within a simulated Martian environment. An avid space enthusiast and advocate for interdisciplinary research, Tahani is dedicated to advancing our understanding of human behaviour in extraterrestrial contexts, and deepening our knowledge of humanity’s place in the cosmos.

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place.

Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Wagner Hall is on on Regency Road, Brighton.
Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically.

Please note that the venue has a bar that sells alcohol.