A mother-and-daughter team from Antigua and Barbuda will be making history next week as the first-ever Caribbean women in space. 

Keisha Schahaff, 46, and her 18-year-old daughter, Anastasia Mayers, will be boarding on August 10 the Galactic 02. This marks Virgin Galactic’s first private astronaut spaceflight, and second commercial spaceflight from Spaceport America in New Mexico. 

Marking the historic occasion, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced two public watch parties in both islands, allowing for the entire nation to be a part of the celebrations. The watch party in Antigua will take place at the Antigua Recreation Ground and in Barbuda, at the Holy Trinity Primary School.

Venues will open at 9:00 am with launch time shortly after 10:00 am local time. Specially invited guests of Prime Minister Gaston Browne at the watch party will be Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, family of the Antiguan astronauts as well as government officials, dignitaries and Christopher Huie, a Jamaican-American who earlier this year became the 19th Black astronaut.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has been quoted as saying, “Antigua and Barbuda’s spirit of adventure is unparallel. We commend the duo who will for years to come serve as an inspiration for those within our society who dream of traveling to space, and as a reminder of fearless Antiguans and Barbudans who have broken barriers. We are excited to witness this moment in history and extend an open invitation to all to join us at the watch parties for this historic moment.”

Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, added, “we applaud our ladies as they embark on their remarkable journey to space.”