Photo:Victoria Sirakova/Getty
Victoria Sirakova/Getty
Though authorities have not officially released the names of those on the exploration vessel, PEOPLE has confirmed their identities. Among them include British billionaire Hamish Harding, who has been on several explorations over the years, including a trip to space.
In fact, just before embarking on the expedition, Harding had detailed some of the risks involved with the trip to retired NASA astronaut Colonel Terry Virts.
“Hey, we’re headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weather’s been bad so they’ve been waiting for this,” the 58-year-old billionaire wrote, according to Virts, who said his friend undoubtedly “understood the risks” of the dangerous adventure.
Read ahead for everything to know about Harding.
He’s based in the United Arab Emirates
Per a previous feature withBusiness Aviation Magazine, Harding grew up in Hong Kong with his parents but currently resides in the United Arab Emirates.
He studied at Cambridge University
Harding studied at Cambridge University, receiving degrees in natural sciences and chemical engineering,per Nasa Space Flight.
He’s a pilot
While studying at Cambridge University, Harding toldBusiness Aviation Magazine,he received his private pilot’s license in 1985. He added that in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, he “transitioned from piloting light aircraft to piloting jets.”
He’s the chairman of Action Aviation
Since 2004, Harding has been a chairman for Action Aviation, a global sales company that “offers a wide range of services including aircraft brokerage, aircraft management and aircraft financing,”per their website.
He’s been to space
Harding has been on several explorations over the years, including visiting the South Pole several times (once with Buzz Aldrin) and going to space as part of the suborbital Blue Origin NS-21 mission in June 2022.
He’s a father
Harding regularly posts photos withhis tight-knit family on social media. In particular, he has gone onmany adventures with his son Giles, who deems himself a “teen explorer” on Instagram.
source: people.com
