Ruthba Yasmin to Become the First Bangladeshi Woman to Travel to the Moon

For the first time in history, a Bangladeshi is preparing to set foot in space—and she is a woman. Meet Ruthba Yasmin, a trailblazing physicist and engineer whose journey from a school in Dhaka to lunar exploration is nothing short of extraordinary. She has completed her full training for the “Moon Pioneer Mission,” organized by Space Nation, and is now poised to make history.

On April 16, Space Nation officially revealed the names of the crew members for their Moon Pioneer Mission, sparking widespread excitement across social media. The mission is predominantly female-led, with Ruthba standing out as a strong voice not just from Bangladesh but on the global stage.

The announcement followed closely on the heels of another milestone—on April 14, pop star Katy Perry embarked on a space journey with an all-female crew on Blue Origin. While different in nature, both missions share a common message: space is no longer a male-dominated frontier.

Ruthba Yasmin’s story began in Scholastica, a well-known school in Dhaka, where her curiosity and passion for the unknown first took root. In 2014, she earned a degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, USA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to Bangladesh and pursued a graduate degree in Data Science at United International University.

In 2024, she further expanded her academic credentials by completing a Master’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of South Alabama.

Ruthba’s path to space was paved through her research on space weather, particularly geomagnetic storms—phenomena that affect Earth’s ionosphere and magnetic field. Her deep dive into this subject laid the foundation for her astronaut training.

As part of the Moon Pioneer Mission, Ruthba trained as an EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity) specialist. Her responsibilities included walking on the lunar surface in a space suit, managing radiation protection, and executing in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)—the extraction of resources from lunar soil.

The crew was divided into two teams: Moon Base and Mission Control. Ruthba initially worked on the Moon Base, later transitioning to Mission Control, where she provided engineering support and guidance.

In one critical mission simulation, the team faced a life support system failure. With only 60 seconds left, they successfully resolved the issue, strictly following EVA protocols under immense pressure.

“Only 11% of astronauts have been women,” Ruthba notes. But rather than seeing this as discouraging, she views it as a challenge and an opportunity. “Just as NASA’s women scientists were instrumental during the Apollo missions, the future of space exploration needs more women—scientists, engineers, and explorers alike,” she says.

Survival in space requires strict routines. Hygiene involves sponge baths, rinse-free shampoo, and personal hygiene kits. Nutrition, hydration, sleep, and exercise are all carefully managed.

Ruthba emphasizes the importance of personal items, fitness, and team bonding in coping with isolation in space. Discipline, rest, and social connection are key to maintaining mental health in such an environment.

With training under Space Nation, Artemis, and Lunar Surface Operations, Ruthba is well-prepared for future missions. Her goal is to contribute to scientific research, collect lunar samples, and test new technologies. Her vision is bold: “I want to be the first Bangladeshi woman to set foot on the Moon—not just for myself, but as a part of Bangladesh’s and the world’s space legacy.”

Ruthba Yasmin’s journey is more than just a mission; it’s a story of dreams realized through determination, courage, and curiosity. Her footsteps toward the Moon serve as an inspiration to many, proving that with enough willpower, not even the sky is the limit.

“I believe what I’ve learned through this training will prepare me for many more space missions in the future,” says Ruthba. “My dream is to place the Bangladeshi flag on the Moon and to contribute meaningfully to space exploration.”

Women like Ruthba are set to lead the next era of the space industry, paving the way for others to follow.