Ruthba Yasmin is reaching for the moon — and she’s doing it with purpose. With her eyes on the stars and her feet grounded in a dream larger than life, she’s poised to become the first Bangladeshi woman to ever set foot on the lunar surface. That dream inched closer to reality when she completed her training for Space Nation’s Moon Pioneer Mission.

The announcement came on 16 April, rippling through social media as Space Nation revealed a history-making team: an all-women’s crew, accompanied by one male member. Among them stood Ruthba, ready to carry both her flag and her vision beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

The timing felt almost poetic. Just two days earlier, on 14 April, pop icon Katy Perry rocketed into space with an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin. 

Two announcements. Two missions. One unmistakable message: women are not just entering space — they’re taking up space.

In the whirlwind of excitement, Ruthba spoke softly but with conviction about her ambition to make history. It has been over half a century since the last footprints were left on the moon. She believes it’s time.

“If I can be the one to make history, it would be a defining moment not just for me, but for the world,” she said in a quiet conversation in late April — a voice calm, but burning with resolve.

The path that led her here wasn’t charted overnight. While pursuing graduate work in space weather, Ruthba followed a series of opportunities that seemed almost celestial in their alignment. One of those paths led to a chance — not just to train, but to prepare for something few dare to imagine: walking on the moon.

How it all began

Before she set her sights on the stars, Ruthba Yasmin walked the familiar halls of Scholastica in Dhaka — a young girl with a sharp mind and a quiet determination. Her journey would take her far from home, across oceans, to Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she completed her BA in Physics with a minor in Mathematics in 2014.

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Years later, in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world paused — and so did Ruthba. She returned to Bangladesh in 2021, using the time to deepen her skillset with a graduate degree in Data Science from United International University. But her story didn’t end there. The pull of the cosmos remained strong. In 2024, she added yet another chapter: a master’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of South Alabama.

The turning point came not with a rocket launch or a telescope, but with a thesis. Her research centered on space weather — specifically, geomagnetic storms that stir the Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. It was a topic that sparked more than academic interest.

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“My deep-seated desire to fully utilise my physics degree was the driving force behind my career shift,” Ruthba reflected. “I developed a fascination with space exploration.”

Message to aspiring Bangladeshi astronauts 

When asked how others from Bangladesh might follow in her footsteps, Ruthba’s advice was both practical and inspiring.

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“Anyone interested in space can take meaningful steps toward joining the field,” she said. “It starts with a genuine interest in space-related topics and applications.”

She emphasised the value of a strong foundation in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — but made it clear that passion knows no boundaries. “Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.”

And then, with the quiet authority of someone who’s lived what she preaches, she shared the core of what it takes.

“Curiosity, courage, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and your authenticity are key attributes for success in this arena. If you bring these qualities, space exploration is within your reach.”

‘Women in space paved the way’

In every explorer’s heart, there’s a hero. For Ruthba, that hero is astronaut Sunita Williams — a pioneer who has left her mark not only in spacewalk records, but in the hearts of women around the world.

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“She has set record-breaking milestones in spacewalks and made extraordinary contributions to ongoing research on the International Space Station,” Ruthba said with admiration. “Williams also secured the record for the most cumulative spacewalking time by a female astronaut.”

These achievements struck a personal chord, especially as Ruthba embarked on her own celestial journey through the Moon Pioneers Mission.

Growing up in Dhaka, she had never fully paused to consider what it meant to be a woman in a modern world — one with a unique voice and the potential to defy gravity, both literal and societal. Education was equally accessible to both boys and girls in her community. But the deeper truth revealed itself over time: in fields like space exploration, equality remains an unfinished mission.

“Only one in five workers in the space industry are women,” she noted. “And just 11% of astronauts are female.”

For Ruthba, that statistic isn’t discouraging — it’s a call to action.

“It is imperative to acknowledge the countless contributions of women in science and space exploration—such as the NASA women scientists who played a crucial role in the Apollo mission. Amplifying their achievements and fostering inclusivity will pave the way for future generations of women scientists, engineers, problem-solvers, advocates and space pioneers.”

How women survive and thrive in space

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Space may be weightless, but the demands on the human body are heavy — and according to Ruthba Yasmin, staying healthy is non-negotiable for astronauts of any gender. “A good night’s sleep, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious, light meals are essential,” she explained.

In microgravity, even hygiene looks different. Daily sponge baths replace showers, no-rinse shampoos and soaps become staples, and personal hygiene kits are a must. “These routines help us adapt and stay well while navigating the challenges of space,” Ruthba said.

From classrooms to the cosmos: The realities of moon mission training

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Ruthba recalled the critical aspects of their training, each one more vital than the last. One of the most fundamental lessons was learning how to assemble and wear a spacesuit—piece by piece. “We worked with a mock spacesuit that entailed putting on a sequence of necessary components. Adhering to the correct sequence for donning these articles was essential for ensuring full functionality. At that point, the details of our actual mission were still unknown,” Ruthba shared.

Once the mission began, things changed. The seven-member crew was split into two teams: Moon Base and Mission Control. “Imagine the Moon Base stationed hundreds of miles away from Earth’s surface, maintaining communication with Mission Control on the ground,” she explained.

During the simulation, things quickly took an unexpected turn. A critical issue with the life support system at the Moon Habitat was detected, a malfunction that could jeopardise the entire mission. The tension rose as the team scrambled to resolve it. “This necessitated an urgent EVA deployment,” Ruthba said. The team had to step out into the lunar environment.

With urgency mounting, the crew at the Moon Base relied on procedural manuals, carefully consulting them to determine the right moment to exit the habitat. It was a delicate dance: a balance between sticking to the protocols, discussing options with the team, and constantly checking in with Mission Control for validation and guidance. Meanwhile, Mission Control, with their broad perspective, was responsible for the overarching mission planning—scheduling, contingency strategies, and scientific objectives.

“The process required a fine balance,” Ruthba continued. “Communication protocols had to be followed precisely to make sure everything went smoothly.”

For Moon missions, EVA procedures are more than just a checklist; they require careful preparation. “There are emergency briefings, rendezvous protocols, equipment checks, and communication system tests before the actual mission kicks off,” Ruthba explained. The bulky EVA suit, built to withstand the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures, micrometeoroids, and solar radiation, allowed astronauts to move in the low-gravity conditions of the Moon. Once suited up, the astronauts would step out to perform their objectives—scientific exploration, sample collection, technology testing, exterior repairs, and troubleshooting.

The mission’s execution involved both EVA and ISRU (In-Situ Resources Utilisation). Ruthba, as the EVA specialist, had two critical tasks: radiation shielding and enabling the ISRU.

“Our ability to execute these tasks depended on clear communication with Mission Control,” she said. But what if things didn’t go as planned? “When disruptions occurred, we had to quickly adapt to newly issued instructions. Time management was the most critical factor. We completed the final tasks with only T-60 seconds remaining before the emergency would escalate.”

The stakes were incredibly high. The pressure to perform weighed heavily on every decision.

“In the first round,” Ruthba continued, “I was positioned at the Moon Base as the EVA Specialist. My crew assisted me in suiting up the mock spacesuit and preparing me for my excursion beyond the habitat.”

Then came the second round. The roles were reversed. “Moon Base personnel transitioned to Mission Control, where I took on the role of an engineer. This shift placed the responsibility on us to guide the crew at the Moon Base, ensuring their safe return before mission closure.”

As an engineer, Ruthba’s job was to direct the Moon Base crew on how to approach the ISRU module. This was no easy task—it was about securing critical resources for the mission’s success. “I had to guide them in real time, helping identify the ideal crater location for resource extraction,” she recalled.

The simulation, Ruthba emphasised, was an intense, high-stakes learning experience. “It immersed us in a realistic space environment and demanded adaptability at every turn.”

The mission tested the core skills that they had honed: teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. “We were pushed to operate under pressure with precision and coordination,” Ruthba reflected. 

“In the end, we successfully pulled off the mission—a testament to our preparation, resilience, and unwavering ability to collaborate as a team.”

Lessons from the moon mission

For Ruthba, the Moon Pioneer Mission wasn’t just a technical achievement — it was a transformative journey. “It’s like any engineering task, but in the context of a lunar expedition,” she said. “Accomplishing it with my amazing crew, Mag7, was incredibly rewarding.”

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From teamwork and communication to problem-solving under pressure, every moment was a masterclass in adaptability. Ruthba came away with deeper insight into learning which lunar resources matter, how they can be harnessed, and what this means for future Artemis missions.

The experience was enriched by real-world mentorship. “We trained with passionate space professionals,” she said, naming Leadership Engagement Expert Alex Arthur, who introduced the idea of ‘team(ability)’ — the art of contributing individual strengths within a high-functioning team.

She also recounted early morning fitness sessions with Chief Experience Officer Goncalo Esteves — who first interviewed her for the mission — and hands-on training from NASA astronaut Michael T Good, also known as Michael Bueno.

How to prepare for when ‘it’s lonely up there’

Space missions test the limits of human endurance, both physically and mentally, Ruthba said. As astronauts embark on these long-duration missions, they undergo years of rigorous training, preparing for not only the technical demands but also the psychological strain of being so far from Earth. 

“To combat isolation, they are encouraged to bring personal items that provide comfort, and activities like team bonding and physical exercise become essential for mental well-being…Structured routines—emphasising rest and social connection—are key. In the unique environment of space, fostering camaraderie within the crew and actively managing stress can make all the difference,” Ruthba said.

A future in space exploration

With invaluable training from Lunar Surface Operations, Artemis, and Space Nation’s programmes, Ruthba said she is prepared for future space expeditions, eager to contribute to research, sample collection, and terrain exploration. 

“My childhood dreams of becoming an engineer and astronaut fuel my passion for related fields. I am driven to become the first woman on the moon and make a historic contribution to space exploration,” she said, emphasising her commitment to tackle space industry challenges and ensure the sustainability of these activities as the space economy expands.