"Experiencing zero gravity in space while gazing at Earth firsthand is an incredibly serene and profound moment," remarked Ana Mayers, who, at the age of 18, embarked on a space journey just two weeks ago, accompanied by her mother.
This remarkable journey, shared with former Olympian Jon Goodwin, marked a historic milestone as they became the first-ever mother-daughter duo to venture into space aboard Virgin Galactic's inaugural tourist flight.
Fast forward to today, and Ana is preparing to continue her studies at the University of Aberdeen, where she will pursue a degree in philosophy and physics.
Before departing from her home in Antigua in the Caribbean to return to Scotland, BBC Newsbeat had the chance to speak with this adventurous student. Ana shared her reflections on the space adventure, saying, "The entire experience was incredibly moving and spiritually connecting."
She went on to describe the breathtaking beauty of the Earth from space, emphasizing, "The view is beyond belief, truly incredible. It has heightened my awareness of the need to cherish our planet and to seize this opportunity to forge a deeper connection with nature."
Ana and her 46-year-old mother, Keisha Schahaff, secured their coveted spots on this once-in-a-lifetime journey by winning a competition. Ana vividly recalls the moment she received the life-changing news, even though she was asleep in her university dorm room.
She recounted, "I was startled when my mom FaceTimed me at a completely unexpected hour that night. All I could see was my own face on the screen. When Richard Branson appeared on the phone, I was left utterly speechless."
On the 10th of August, Ana Mayers, her mother, and the 80-year-old Jon embarked on their space adventure, taking off from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The flight, lasting approximately 90 minutes, treated them to the sensation of zero gravity at an altitude of around 85 kilometers (280,000 feet), offering them a truly unique perspective of our planet.
Preparing for this extraordinary journey involved extensive training for the space tourists. However, when the moment of take-off finally arrived, Ana recalls that she felt no nervousness. She described the experience as remarkably peaceful, akin to a routine commercial flight.
Yet, as the countdown commenced, with announcements like "three minutes to release" and "one minute to release," Ana's excitement soared. She admitted, "I remember thinking, 'Oh my God, this is really happening.' I was just brimming with exhilaration."
Ana emphasized that this space journey has made her feel more engaged than ever before in her life. Now that she's back on Earth, she has become an inspiration to many. Ana expressed her gratitude for this role, saying, "I'm deeply honored to be able to inspire so many people."
She also hopes that her experience serves as a catalyst for others, not just in terms of space exploration but in all aspects of life. Ana's wish is that her journey motivates people to take themselves seriously, put in the necessary effort, and remain open to seizing opportunities as they come along.