When dreams become reality: Bosnian Vahida Velić in the heart of the European universe

(Patria) - Growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the years after the war, means learning what reality looks like very early on. You learn to be grounded. You learn to adjust expectations. You learn to think within the limits of what seems possible.

For many of us, dreams were shaped precisely that way, within the boundaries of the world we knew. For Vahida Velić, born in Mrkonjić Grad, space was not part of that world. It was something distant. Unattainable. Almost unreal, writes the portal BH Futures Foundation.

Like any child, she too was once asked the simple question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answer was clear - an astronaut.

Not because it seemed achievable, but because it represented something bigger, the courage to step into the unknown, dedication to something larger than oneself, and a contribution to humanity. But in reality, that dream didn't seem like a dream. It seemed like fiction.



What followed was not a direct path to space, but a path of work, discipline, and patience.

Vahida graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Sarajevo, and then built her knowledge and experience through industry and practice.

She worked on projects, collaborated with clients, and turned ideas into concrete solutions. Without fanfare. Without shortcuts. But with a clear direction forward. Step by step, even when the ultimate goal was not entirely visible.

That path led her to the European Astronaut Centre, part of the European Space Agency. Not as an astronaut, but as someone without whom missions would not be possible.

Today, Vahida works as an astronaut instructor and a member of the flight control team, supporting missions to the International Space Station and within the Artemis program.

Her roles include:
‣ EUROCOM - direct communication with astronauts during missions;
‣ ECOS - support for operations and mission preparation;
‣ ESA CHP OPS - working on crew health and performance in deep space missions.

Her work is part of the daily operations that enable the safe and successful execution of space missions.



With the Artemis II mission, humanity is returning to the Moon. For Vahida, this is not just a historic but a personal moment.

A quiet reminder that the child who once, almost jokingly, said she wanted to be an astronaut, has found her place in that world after all. Not in the way she imagined. But in a way that has equal, if not greater, value.

The Artemis II mission represents one of the most important steps in humanity's return to the Moon and further preparation for missions to Mars.

As the first mission in the Artemis program to send a crew into lunar orbit after more than 50 years, Artemis II plays a crucial role in testing systems, safety, and operational procedures for future long-duration spaceflights.

As part of the ESA CHP OPS team, Vahida Velić contributes to this historic endeavor by supporting crew health and performance, thereby directly participating in shaping a new era of human space exploration.

During her academic development, Vahida also achieved significant success in science communication. In 2021, she won first place in the national 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the STEM and Master's category, further confirming her excellence and ability to bring complex scientific ideas closer to a wider audience.