The UK government wasn't involved in space exploration at the time, so paying for a spot on a flight was the only way to travel to space. amalgamated transit union local 587 contract. On 18th May 1991, Helen Sharman, aged just 27, became the first British astronaut to travel into space. 30 May 1963 Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, University of Sheffield (BSc in 1984) Birkbeck, University of London (Ph.D in 1987). [CDATA[// >